Tigress Zeenat released into soft enclosure in Similipal Tiger Reserve after return from West Bengal

Following high drama, tigress Zeenat has eventually returned to Odisha. The wild animal was released in Similpal Tiger Reserve on Wednesday, days after it was tranquillised and captured in West Bengal. She has been released into a soft enclosure at the south division of the tiger reserve after it reached Odisha from Alipore Zoo in West Bengal.

The reintroduction of the tigress was captured in a video shared by the Odisha Forest Department, showcasing her exuberant sprint, drinking from a water source, and enjoying a refreshing swim.

Efforts are in progress to assimilate Zeenat back into her natural surroundings. The Baripada Regional Chief Conservator of Forests (RCCF) reported that Zeenat is in robust health and displaying a serene demeanour. Her journey to Simlipal was completed last night, and she was released into a soft enclosure at 8 am on Wednesday.

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Zeenat will remain in this enclosure, originally intended for another tigress named Jamuna, for a few days. She will be under surveillance for 24 hours to ensure her safety and well-being.

A specialised steering committee has been formed to oversee Zeenat’s progress, determining the appropriate time to reintegrate her into the core area of the reserve once she fully is ready.

“Tigress Zeenat was released into a soft enclosure in the south division of Similipal Tiger Reserve. A specialised steering committee will monitor the movements of the tigress and decide accordingly when to release her into the core area of the reserve again. She is now healthy and moving freely inside the enclosure. We are analyzing her behaviour,” said Baripada RCCF Prakash Chand Gogineni.