Tiger Zeenat likely to be released in bigger enclosure soon, says Odisha forest official

Zeenat tigress Odisha. Photo: Special Arrangement

Tiger Zeenat, which had strayed into Jharkhand and West Bengal before being tranquillised and brought back to Odisha’s Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR), is expected to be released into a larger enclosure as part of a phased acclimatisation process.

Odisha’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) Prem Kumar Jha said the bigger enclosure was ready where Zeenat will be released.

Zeenat, the three-year-old tiger, was translocated from the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra to STR on November 14 as part of strategy to boost the genetic diversity of reserve’s big cat population.

After the tigress was tranquillised in West Bengal, it was released in a small enclosure spread over two hectares of forestland inside STR’s core area. After two months, now Zeenat will be in a bigger enclosure over eight to nine hectare of land developed with Africa’s Boma technique. STR authorities said Zeenat will subsequently be provided completely wild habitat. 

The PCCF Wildlife dismissed reports of Zeenat being unwell as mere speculation. According Odisha Forest Department National Tiger Conservation Authority team found the tigress in good health. The forest department is now awaiting Zeenat’s estrous cycle, the phase when she becomes receptive to mating.