Zeenat, a young tigress translocated from Maharashtra to Odisha's Similipal Tiger Reserve, sparked a nationwide wildlife tracking effort when she disappeared and traveled nearly 300 kilometers across three states. Now, over a year later, she is thriving in Similipal with four cubs, symbolizing a breakthrough in Odisha's tiger genetic diversity program.
- Zeenat traveled nearly 300 km across three states evading capture.
- She has since established territory and raised four cubs in Similipal.
- Her story marks progress in Odisha’s tiger supplementation program.
What happened
In late 2024, Zeenat, a tigress from Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, was moved to Odisha’s Similipal Tiger Reserve as part of a conservation effort to boost genetic diversity. After a soft-release period, she unexpectedly broke away from the reserve, embarking on an elusive journey spanning nearly 300 kilometres through Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. Wildlife officials tracked her extensively for nearly three weeks as she crossed state borders and used rugged forest terrain to evade capture.
Eventually, Zeenat was tranquilised and safely brought back to Similipal, where she was released again. This remarkable pursuit highlighted both the challenges and dedication involved in tiger translocation programs.
Why it feels good
Where once Zeenat was seen as a difficult case, today she stands as a symbol of hope and perseverance. Camera traps have captured images of Zeenat gracefully carrying one of her four healthy cubs, showing that she has not only settled but succeeded in establishing a new family within the reserve. This is a significant milestone for Similipal, a unique habitat noted for its rare black-coated tigers but facing concerns over genetic isolation.
Her successful adaptation shows the value of patience and thoughtful conservation practice. By raising cubs, Zeenat has contributed to increasing the tiger population in Similipal from 12 cubs to 16, marking the first strong outcome from Odisha’s new tiger supplementation program aimed at revitalizing the gene pool and ensuring a resilient future for the species.
What to enjoy or watch next
The tiger supplementation program in Odisha plans to introduce six genetically unrelated tigers over five years to further enrich Similipal’s tiger population. Zeenat’s success offers encouragement to conservationists, biologists, and wildlife enthusiasts watching this program unfold. Her story encourages broader support for similar initiatives aimed at protecting endangered species through careful genetic management and habitat restoration.
For those interested in following the story, wildlife departments are releasing more images and updates via camera traps that showcase the lives of these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Watching the growing cubs and monitoring their progress will provide insights into how conservation efforts translate into thriving wildlife populations.