10 days after mysteriously missing from Similipal, Tigress Zeenat's whereabouts still remain unclear

A cloud of mystery surrounds the movements of tigress Zeenat, who was relocated from Maharashtra to Odisha’s Similipal Tiger Reserve. After mysteriously missing from Similipal, the tigress was seen roaming around in parts of Jharkhand, before being traced to West Bengal. However, her exact location remains unclear, informed Baripada Regional Chief Conservator of Forests (RCCF) Prakash Chand Gogineni.

The three-year-old big cat has been frequently changing her locations, making it difficult to pinpoint her current whereabouts. For security reasons, the Forest Department has decided not to disclose her precise location. 

According to Gogineni, Zeenat recently moved from the Jamshedpur range in Jharkhand to the Belpahari forest area in West Bengal. However, she is no longer there, and a dedicated forest team is now tracking her movements.

Forest personnel of West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha are closely monitoring the movement of the tigress that has been roaming the contiguous forest belt of the three states since escaping from Simlipal Tiger Reserve 10 days ago.

Also Read: Tigress 'Zeenat' ventures into Jharkhand after release in Odisha's Similipal

Zeenat is currently believed to be in Bengal territory. Her movements are being tracked via a radio collar, and a special squad of Bengal forest officials is on constant watch.

The movement of 'Zeenat', the full-grown adult big cat, is constantly being monitored through radio collar fitted on her as a special squad of Bengal forest officials are on constant vigil with camouflaged cages with trap door kept ready and cattle kept as bait, Minister of State for Forest (Independent charge) Birbaha Hansda told PTI on Friday.

"Forest personnel from Jharkhand and Odisha are also accompanying our team. People are being told not to venture deep into the forest to collect firewood, saal leaves, or for any other reason. We are tracking every movement of the tigress but there is no cause to be panicky," Hansda said.

Read More: Tiger relocation travesty! After Zeenat, tigress Yamuna ‘escapes’ into Kuldiha forests

A senior forest official said the tigress has now been spotted in a forested part of the Junglemahal area in West Bengal but refused not to divulge the place. People in pockets like Belpahari have been asked not to remain in open spaces after dusk and not to harm if they spot any such animal, he said.

The tigress had covered not less than 40 km after straying from Similipal in Odisha but such behaviour is normal for tigers who wander several kilometres in search of a new territory, the official said.

"Probably the forest belt of three neighbouring states, having similar habitat, became a corridor for her and she is trying to set up a base. We are at work to drive her away to Simplipal through the same route or if she is captured, release her back into the reserve forest in Odisha. We are hopeful there is no man-animal conflict," the senior state forest official said.

"The prey base is low in the areas where Zeenat is presently located. So, we hope she turns back to the reserve since there is more prey there," he said.

(With PTI inputs)