Loss of natural habitat due to encroachment caused by burgeoning population and poaching has dwindled the number of female tigers in the Panna reserve - once home to about 500 tigers. Even a male tiger is spotted once in a while only.

Wildlife expert Raghu Chundawat, who had carried out research in the Panna Tiger Reserve for a long time, believes that Panna reserve was heading on the path of Rajasthan's Sariska, where tigers have are seen nowhere.

He said the management of the Panna reserve must admit the truth and bring a female tiger from outside so that tigers could be protected from being wiped out. Madhya Pradesh Wildlife Board member Shyamendra Singh said the Panna reserve management should ensure that radio collar equipment is tied to tigers so that their situation could be ascertained. Poaching had to be dealt firmly to protect tigers, he added. Panna tiger reserve sources said a tiger was shot at and injured by poachers near Parasmania Pathar recently. The tiger could now not be set free to roam in the forest, rued the source.