NTCA team to decide on releasing Zeenat into the wild

Bhubaneswar: A team from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) will soon visit Similipal Tiger Reserve to take a final call on releasing tigress Zeenat into the wild. It has been nearly two months since the tigress was moved to a larger enclosure and more than four months since it was recaptured and placed in captivity in Similipal.

"We have been closely monitoring its behaviour through CCTV cameras. No human being has been allowed near its enclosure and all efforts have been made to create natural opportunities to retain its prey-hunting skills. We will release the big cat with NTCA guidance," chief wildlife warden Prem Kumar Jha said.

The three-year-old tigress, after being brought from Tadoba-Andheri Tiger Reserve, was released at Similipal's Chahala, a core area in the reserve's northern part, reportedly on Nov 14. While dispersing, it crossed Bangiriposhi Ghat in an overnight journey en route to the Badampahar-Dhobadhobin elephant corridor, eventually reaching Chaibasa. From there, it arrived at Rajabasa under the Chakulia range of Jharkhand and then moved into West Bengal.

Wildlife officials stated that there has been no delay in releasing Zeenat into the wild as its hunting skills remain as good and agile as those of a wild tiger. "Since it dispersed too far soon after release, it is wise to reassess its behaviour and then take a decision. NTCA is the final authority to decide on its release. However, this time it will be released not in the north division but in the south," a wildlife officer said.

Experts have suggested that instead of wild boar, the tigress should be served chital for some days, followed by sambar. Zeenat's enclosure has been enlarged to facilitate free movement and to provide a sense of a natural habitat. The wildlife wing has created a camouflaged passage to the enclosure through which nearby sambar and chital can walk in, after which the gate is closed. They noted that the high-fat content in wild boar meat impacts the tigress's health.