Baripada: Authorities at the Similipal Tiger Reserve announced Thursday that tigress Jamuna, recently brought from Maharashtra, is in good health and successfully hunted a pig within her enclosure.
The two-and-a-half-year-old tigress was translocated from the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra and introduced to a soft enclosure inside Similipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj district on October 28.
According to Prakash Chand Gogineni, the Field Director of Similipal Tiger Reserve, tigress Jamuna is healthy and active.
Gogineni has said that Jamuna appears relaxed and in good health and yesterday, she hunted and consumed a pig within the enclosure.
Forest officials are optimistic that Jamuna’s presence will contribute to preserving genetic diversity within Similipal’s tiger population, especially given the increase in tiger numbers and the presence of unique melanistic (black) tigers in the reserve.
The tigress will remain under observation for one to two weeks in her enclosure before her release into the wild.
The translocation was conducted with approval from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Officials have stated that another tiger from Tadoba will also be released into Similipal, adding to the conservation efforts.
With Jamuna’s arrival, Odisha’s tiger population has now reached 31, with 28 residing in Similipal, which is known for its rare melanistic tiger population.
