Bhubaneswar: A Royal Bengal tigress from the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh arrived at Odisha's Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Angul today where she will meet her partner--a Royal Bengal tiger that was brought to the reserve last week in the country's first ever relocation initiative by the forest department.
The two-year-old tigress is expected to reach the reserve by today evening. However, the route through which the tigress is being brought to the State has not been disclosed keeping in view security of the animal, source said. The relocation is a part of State government’s efforts to revive tiger population in the protected forest.
The tigress is being transported in a special vehicle of the Madhya Pradesh forest department after being tranquilized on Wednesday evening. Forest officials and veterinary doctors from both the states are accompanying to ensure safe relocation of the big cat.
"We are expecting the animal to reach the State by the end of this week. A special enclosure for the animal has been kept ready. The tigress too will be fitted with tracking devices for surveillance purpose," informed a senior forest official.
The male tiger from the Kanha Reserve Forest in Madhya Pradesh currently lodged in the Reserve since June 21 has been housed in a specially-designed enclosure with CCTV surveillance.
It is behaving quite normally, informed the forest officials.Once the tigress reaches Odisha, both the animals will be released into the forest, informed sources.
The Satkosia Tiger Reserve will receive four more tigers from Madhya Pradesh which will be relocated in phases. All the tigers identified for relocation are below 3 years of age and now in the Kanha National Tiger Reserve of the neighbouring State.