Bhubaneswar: Seventeen days after the arrival of tigress Yamuna from Maharashtra’s Tadaba-Andhari tiger reserve, the second tigress, named ‘Zeenat’, arrived yesterday and was released into a soft enclosure in Similipal forest today.
Initially, the tigress’ name was reported as Ganga, but PCCF (wildlife) Susanta Nanda confirmed that her name is indeed ‘Zeenat’. This name will be used consistently in Similipal as well, just as it was in Maharashtra.
Zeenat was released at 9 am today in a soft enclosure in the Similipal core area, and a team of experts has been monitoring her movements for 24 hours.
On November 13, after being tranquillized in Maharashtra’s Tadoba forest, she was brought to Similipal in a special vehicle via Raipur, Sambalpur, and Jashipur. A special team from Similipal toured Maharashtra and completed the legal process before bringing the tigress back.
‘Zeenat’ arrived in Similipal yesterday at 7 pm, and today she was released in the enclosure. After being released in the enclosure, a special team has been monitoring her for 24 hours to assess her behaviour, behaviour, and health. Only if Zeenat’s health and behaviour are good, she will be released in the core area of Similipal after a few days, where she will be able to roam freely, according to a senior official.
On October 28, a tigress Yamuna was brought to Similipal, and now, after a gap of 17 days, the second tiger has been brought back. When ‘Yamuna’ was released in the core area, she was healthy and is said to be roaming in various areas of Similipal.
