Tigress Zeenat Successfully Tranquilized in West Bengal, Set to Return to Similipal

Baripada: Tigress Zeenat, who strayed from Odisha’s Similipal Tiger Reserve and ventured into the forests of West Bengal, was tranquilized on Sunday afternoon in Bankura district’s Gopalpur forest. Efforts are now underway to transport her safely back to Odisha, officials said.

The operation, led by a joint team from Odisha and West Bengal’s Forest Departments, culminated after multiple attempts to sedate the big cat earlier in the day. “The tigress is currently secured in a cage, and preparations are being made to bring her back to Similipal,” said Prakash Chand Gogineni, Regional Chief Conservator of Forests (RCCF), Baripada.

Zeenat, who was translocated to Similipal from Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) last month, wandered over 120 km across Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal in search of new territory. Her journey took her to Bankura’s Gopalpur forest after she crossed into West Bengal on December 27.

Since arriving in Gopalpur, the tigress had been closely monitored by Forest Department officials. Wildlife teams surrounded her with double netting and gradually reduced the perimeter to contain her movement.

The operation faced hurdles earlier in the day when Zeenat did not respond to initial doses of tranquilizers. “The tigress was tranquilized at 1:20 AM, but repeated doses failed to sedate her completely. Due to safety concerns, the operation was paused temporarily,” explained West Bengal’s Chief Wildlife Warden, Debal Roy.

Roy added that Zeenat’s agitated state made the process particularly challenging. However, a renewed effort in the afternoon succeeded in sedating her safely, paving the way for her capture.

Zeenat was brought to Similipal in November as part of a strategic initiative to diversify the gene pool of its tiger population. Her unexpected journey across state borders highlights the challenges of managing big cats in fragmented forest landscapes.

Wildlife experts and officials are now focused on returning Zeenat to Similipal, ensuring her safety while reinforcing conservation goals.