Tigress Zeenat Returns to Similipal Tiger Reserve After Rescue Operation

Bhubaneswar: Tigress Zeenat, a three-year-old translocated from Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), has been successfully reintroduced to the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Odisha. Her return marks the culmination of a coordinated rescue mission after she strayed out of the reserve and was tracked across three states.

Zeenat, initially released in Similipal’s core area on November 25, ventured out on December 8, crossing into Jharkhand’s Chakulia range before reaching West Bengal’s Belpahari forest. On December 29, she was tranquillized and rescued from West Bengal’s Bankura district, ending her 21-day excursion.

Following her rescue, the tigress underwent a comprehensive health examination at Alipore Zoo in Kolkata. Declared fit for reintroduction, she was brought back to Similipal on January 1 and re-released in the Jenabil range within the reserve’s core zone.

Odisha’s Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia highlighted the meticulous planning involved in Zeenat’s return. “Our officials are monitoring her movements closely using the radio collar fitted on her. This ensures her safe reintegration into Similipal’s ecosystem,” he said.

Zeenat’s initial release into the Chahala range was part of efforts to adapt her to the wild. Her temporary departure from Similipal prompted a coordinated response by forest officials across Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, showcasing the effectiveness of inter-state collaboration in wildlife management.

Similipal Tiger Reserve, a critical habitat for tigers in India, has been at the forefront of wildlife conservation. Zeenat’s journey highlights both the challenges and achievements of translocation projects aimed at increasing tiger populations in the region.

Her safe return underscores the importance of modern tracking techniques, inter-agency cooperation, and swift decision-making in managing endangered wildlife. Similipal’s role in tiger conservation continues to set a benchmark for ecological preservation in India.