TV
The 3.5-year-old Royal Bengal Tigress Zeenat, translocated to Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha from Maharashtra, as part of a genetic diversification initiative, has successfully mated with a resident melanistic tiger.
Officials now believe she could give birth by the end of August or early September 2025, a development seen as a key milestone in the Forest Department’s effort to reduce inbreeding among Similipal’s Royal Bengal Tiger (RBT) population.
Straying Across States Had Earlier Raised Concerns
After Zeenat’s introduction to Similipal forest, she had strayed and travelled to forests of Jharkhand and West Bengal. This development had left Odisha Forest officials in a bind. She was later captured and brought back to Similipal enclosure.
Thermal Footage Confirms Bond With Older Male Tiger
Recently captured thermal camera footage from near Jamunagarh meadow shows Zeenat interacting closely with T-12, a 12-year-old melanistic tiger. While she earlier rejected the advances of T-31, son of T-12, Zeenat eventually formed a mating bond with the older tiger.
This pairing, now confirmed by officials, supports the department’s expectations of breeding success from the introduction.
Mating Strategy Carefully Timed Around Estrus Behaviour
Prem Kumar Jha, PCCF (Wildlife), said, “They have successfully mated, and the gestation period is 105 days. So, if she is indeed pregnant, she is expected to give birth by the end of August or the first week of September 2025.”
He added, “After multiple discussions, it was decided to release Zeenat from the enclosure during her estrus cycle, as we anticipated she would accept the courtship of a male tiger. If she conceived and gave birth, the chances of her leaving Similipal would significantly reduce.”
Genetic Diversity Seen as Positive Outcome Regardless of Litter Type
Explaining the strategy behind her release, Jha said Zeenat had shown clear signs of estrus and was responding to a nearby male. Based on this behavioural cue, she was released, leading to the observed mating with T-12.
Dr Anup Nayak, Wildlife Expert, said, “The population of melanistic tigers was increasing rapidly due to inbreeding. We brought Zeenat from a different area to introduce a new bloodline into the RBT population in Similipal. Now that she has successfully mated, whether her cubs are melanistic or not, it is still positive news because of her distinct genetic line.”
A Promising Step in Long-Term Conservation Goals
The Forest Department views the development as a promising outcome in its ongoing efforts to prevent genetic uniformity and ensure long-term viability of the tiger population in Similipal.
