NTCA issues show cause notice over shifting of tigress Zeenat to Alipore zoo in WB

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) on Tuesday issued a show cause notice to the Chief Wildlife Warden of Government of West Bengal over shifting of tigress Zeenat, who strayed from Odisha’s Simlipal forest to West Bengal and later tranquilized at Bankura, to Alipore Zoo.

In a letter, the NTCA asked the concerned authorities to furnish the reasons why tigress Zeenat was shifted to Alipore Zoo.

"The captured tigress (163_S1) that moved from the State of Odisha to West Bengal via Jharkhand is presently housed at the Alipore Zoo.  It is pertinent to mention that the said tigress was brought to Similipal TR from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra) under special initiatives to improve the genetic constitution of the tigers at Similipal TR," the letter read.

"The animal under question is to be released in the wild and in order to avoid any imprinting or human interaction in captivity, as requested by the Chief Wildlife Warden, Odisha, I am directed to reiterate that, under section 38 O (2) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the said tigress may please be translocated back to Similipal Tiger Reserve at the earliest following the due process of SOP of NTCA," the letter read further.

The NTCA has also asked the officials to explain the reasons why the said tigress was lifted to the Zoo, instead of translocating it back to the State of Odisha as per the SOP.

Also Read: The story of Tigress Zeenat, tranquilized after keeping 3 states on toes for 21 days

Notably, Zeenat was brought to Similipal from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Maharashtra last month with the goal of introducing a new gene pool to the tiger population. However, the tigress strayed away from Similipal and covered over 120 km, roaming the forests at the tri-junction of West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha in search of a new territory.

The three-year-old tigress was tranquilized December 29 in the Bankura forest of West Bengal following multiple failed attempts to dart her by joint teams from the Odisha and West Bengal forest departments since December 20.