In a significant operation for wildlife conservation, a young tigress has begun a new chapter in Rajasthan after being successfully translocated from Madhya Pradesh. The big cat was released into a temporary enclosure at the Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (RVTR) in Bundi district early on Monday, following a complex seven-hour journey.
The Ambitious Translocation Journey
The three-year-old tigress, officially identified as PN-224, commenced her journey on Sunday from the Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh. She was carefully transported in a cage aboard an Indian Air Force MI-72 helicopter, which flew her to Jaipur. An initial plan to fly directly to a helipad in Bajaliya, near the reserve, was altered due to night flying restrictions.
From Jaipur, the tigress undertook a 300-kilometer road journey under police escort to reach her final destination inside the RVTR. The entire operation concluded in the early morning hours, with forest officials finally releasing the tigress into a one-hectare temporary holding enclosure at precisely 6:36 am on Monday.
Settling Into a New Home
According to the latest updates from the forest department, the translocated tigress is adapting positively to her new surroundings. Arun Kumar D, the Deputy Conservator of Forests for Ramgarh Vishdhari, reported that the animal is in full health and displaying confident movement within the secure enclosure.
"The animal is fully healthy and moving confidently inside the enclosure," stated Arun Kumar. He added, "If conditions remain normal, she is expected to be released into the wild after about a week." This careful monitoring period in the temporary enclosure is a standard protocol to ensure the animal's well-being and acclimatization before granting her full freedom in the new forest landscape.
Broader Implications for Tiger Conservation
This meticulous translocation underscores ongoing efforts to manage and expand tiger populations across India. The successful movement of PN-224 to the Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve is not just about an individual animal but represents a strategic step in:
- Population Management: Helping establish new tiger territories and reduce overcrowding in source reserves.
- Genetic Diversity: Introducing new bloodlines to different forest ecosystems.
- Habitat Expansion: Utilizing suitable tiger habitats across states to support the growing national population.
The coming week will be crucial as officials observe her behavior before the final release into the wild, marking a hopeful milestone for Rajasthan's tiger conservation story.
