In a landmark move for wildlife conservation in Maharashtra, the state's Forest Department has successfully released a tigress into the wilds of Chandoli National Park, a core part of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR). This strategic release on Thursday, November 20, 2025, marks a pivotal step in efforts to revive the tiger population in the region, which now stands at four individuals.
A New Monarch for the Sahyadri
The tigress, identified as T-20-S-2, was carefully translocated from the Tadoba Tiger Reserve in Chandrapur last week. Before her grand entry into the wilderness, she underwent a critical phase of observation and acclimatization. For several days, she was housed in a pre-release enclosure where a team of expert veterinarians and wildlife biologists from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) conducted daily behavioural assessments.
Scientists meticulously monitored her movement, feeding patterns, territorial marking, and overall response to the natural environment. After confirming she exhibited excellent adaptive behaviour and natural instincts, she was declared perfectly fit and ready for a full wild release.
The Grand Release and Scientific Monitoring
The enclosure gate was officially opened at 4:30 pm on November 18. Demonstrating the cautious nature of a wild predator, the tigress took her time, eventually stepping out into her new domain at around 8:15 am on Thursday. The Forest Department had made provisions for her food during this transitional period.
To ensure her safety and seamless integration, the tigress has been fitted with a radio collar. She will be under round-the-clock surveillance using a combination of satellite-based telemetry and VHF antenna tracking units. Monitoring teams from STR, Chandoli National Park, and WII are already stationed at strategic locations to track her movements, document her behaviour, and prevent potential conflicts with local communities.
A Milestone for Tiger Recovery
Forest department officials have hailed this release as a significant achievement. Tushar Chavan, Field Director of STR, stated that the tigress has proven herself as the "Queen of Sahyadri" by already beginning to mark her territory. He emphasized that this event is an important milestone for the Sahyadri tiger recovery programme, executed with high conservation ethics and scientific precision.
Echoing this sentiment, M S Reddy, Chief Wildlife Warden of Maharashtra, said the initiative reflects the state's systematic and long-term approach to wildlife conservation. The presence of three male tigers in the STR now raises hopes for future breeding. Rohan Bhate, an honorary wildlife warden who witnessed the release, expressed optimism that this would lead to an increase in the tiger population, thereby strengthening the overall biodiversity of the 740 square kilometre reserve spread across Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Ratnagiri districts.
