Tigress Zeenat to Be Tranquilized and Returned to Similipal Reserve

Bhubaneswar: Efforts are underway to tranquilize and bring back tigress Zeenat, currently roaming the Jhargram forest in West Bengal, to the Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha.

Prakash Chand Gogineni, Field Director of Similipal Tiger Reserve, confirmed that Zeenat is being tracked round the clock by the forest departments of Odisha and West Bengal. “The tigress is fit and fine, and we are taking every precaution to ensure her safe return,” he stated.

Zeenat brought from Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, was released into Similipal on November 24. However, the tigress ventured beyond Odisha’s borders into Jharkhand, spending approximately 10 days in the Chakulia region before moving into West Bengal.

Radio collar tracking has enabled forest officials to monitor Zeenat’s movements closely. Teams from both states are equipped and prepared to tranquilize the tigress for her safe transfer back to Similipal.

Meanwhile, another tigress, Jamuna, is reported to be fit and thriving in the Kuldiha sanctuary, which forms part of the Similipal landscape. Her health and movements are being closely monitored by forest officials.