The tiger population in Maharashtra's Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) has received a significant boost, now standing at five big cats. This follows the successful release of a tigress, named Tara, into the reserve's wild landscape on Thursday morning.
A Careful Journey to the Wild
The tigress, officially designated STR-T5, was brought to the reserve from the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve. As part of a meticulous scientific protocol, she underwent a soft release process. Tara was first kept in a specially designed enclosure within the reserve to allow for acclimatization.
Snehalata Patil, the Divisional Forest Officer and Deputy Director for STR, detailed the process. "The gates to the enclosure were opened on December 13," she said. "However, Tara chose to remain inside for five days, during which she even successfully hunted prey. She finally ventured out into the core of the Chandoli forest on Thursday morning."
Strengthening the Sahyadri Population
Tara's release is a strategic move under Operation TARA (Tiger Augmentation and Range Expansion). This initiative aims to revive the tiger population and enhance genetic diversity in the reserve, which spans 1,165 square kilometres across Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, and Ratnagiri districts.
Tushar Chavan, Field Director of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, expressed optimism. "Tara has shown excellent adaptation during the soft release phase," he stated. "Displaying essential wild traits, including hunting, indicates strong readiness for release. Her entry is a significant step towards strengthening the tiger population in the Sahyadri landscape."
This release follows another a month prior, when tigress STR-T4, named Chanda, was similarly soft-released in a core zone enclosure. Both tigresses have been fitted with radio collars and are being closely monitored by the STR field team.
A Commitment to Scientific Conservation
With Tara's integration, the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve now hosts a population of three male and two female tigers. M S Reddy, Chief Wildlife Warden of Maharashtra, emphasized the scientific rigor behind the operation.
"The release of tigress STR-05 (TARA) has been carried out strictly as per established scientific protocols and careful behavioural evaluation," Reddy said. "This successful release reflects the Maharashtra Forest Department's commitment to evidence-based wildlife management and long-term tiger conservation."
The careful monitoring of the newly introduced tigresses will be crucial for the future of the tiger population in this vital Western Ghats habitat.
