Relocation of 2 tigers to Odisha’s Debrigarh from MP to face delay!

The previously planned relocation of two Royal Bengal Tigers (RBTs) from Madhya Pradesh to Debrigarh sanctuary in Odisha's Bargarh district has encountered a delay. The postponement arises as forest authorities await the findings of ongoing probe into the Similipal incident.

While the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) earlier granted technical clearance for the translocation, the recent developments involving the alleged escape of tigresses Zeenat and Yamuna from Similipal forests have prompted a reassessment of the situation.

The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF)-Wildlife Prem Kumar Jha stated, “We will reassess the situation to decide whether to proceed or not. The decision on moving the tigers to Debrigarh sanctuary will remain on hold pending further review.”

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“We have not taken any step in this regard yet,” the PCCF expressed.

Worth mentioning, tigress Yamuna recently moved out of Similipal forests and entered the adjacent Kuldiha wildlife sanctuary in Balasore district.

This occurred close on the heels of Zeenat’s alleged escape. Tigresses Zeenat and Yamuna, relocated from Maharashtra to Similipal tiger reserve, have ventured out of their new habitat.

Zeenat, who had kept the forest officials of three states on high alert, will return to Similipal today, ending a 21-day-long hide-and-seek with the forest officials involving several failed attempts to tranquilise her.

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The three-year-old tigress was tranquilised yesterday in Bankura forest of West Bengal following multiple failed attempts to dart her by joint teams of Odisha and West Bengal forest personnel since December 20.

“Most of the male tigers have their demarcated territories. However, the tigresses too have their territories which at times overlap. Yamuna and Zeenat had started exploration after they were released into the Similipal forests,” the PCCF had said earlier.

The PCCF had explained that Zeenat and Yamuna are in the process of establishing new territories, leading to their migration between forests. This territorial expansion is typical behaviour for tigers.