Odisha to Receive Five Royal Bengal Tigers from MP and Maharashtra

Bhubaneswar: Odisha is set to receive five Royal Bengal Tigers from Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra by the end of September. The move aims to boost genetic diversity within the state’s tiger population, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen wildlife management and conservation.

Three of these majestic big cats will be relocated to the Debrigarh Sanctuary, while the remaining two will be released into the Similipal Tiger Reserve. This strategic relocation is part of a broader genetic diversity programme designed to enhance the resilience of tiger populations in Odisha.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Susanta Nanda, confirmed the development, stating that two dedicated teams led by senior forest officials will soon travel to Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra to finalize the relocation process. “We have received positive responses from both states, and they have already selected tigers from their core areas. We anticipate that the genetic diversity programme will be operational in Similipal by the end of September,” Nanda said.

To safeguard both the relocated tigers and nearby human communities, Nanda also announced the installation of solar fencing around Debrigarh Sanctuary. This measure is intended to prevent the tigers from wandering into human settlements, thereby reducing the risk of conflict.