But for the forest department in Maharashtra, names mean plenty after the recent 'disappearance' of the state's iconic tiger Jai. In a gradual break from the system, where stakeholders in the eco-tourism business christen tigers and create an aura around them, the authorities at the Tadoba-Andhari tiger reserve, which is Maharashtra's richest tiger ecosystem, warn against naming these big cats. There is no reason to give names to tigers," said a senior forest department official, adding that these instructions would be given to the guides and gypsy operators. "The department never gives names (to tigers)... and will not give them," said Girish Vashisht, divisional forest officer (DFO) and spokesperson of the state forest department's wildlife wing, adding that naming tigers was done by wildlife photographers and tourists. The forest department however names its domesticated elephants.

Source: dna September 12, 2016 00:22 UTC