Tiger translocation in Odisha! From setbacks to new hopes
Tigers are critical for sustaining diverse & healthy forest ecosystems. But Climate Change, habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflicts are causing a decline in their numbers.Odisha has been involved in tiger relocation programs, notably at Satkosia and Simlipal, which aimed to boost tiger populations through interstate translocation.
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The tiger relocation project was initiated in 2018.On international Tiger day, let's dwell on the positive outcomes achieved in the last year. The two tigers Yamuna and Zeenat from Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve to Similipal was a part of tiger augmentation program in October & November 2024.
Yamuna tigress was 2.5 years old approximately when she was flown 900 km in a special transport vehicle from Tadoba Maharashtra, to reach Similipal on 28th October 2024. Based on this, she would be approximately 3 years and 4 months old in late July 2025.
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Zeenat, a three-year-old tigress, was also translocated to Similipal Tiger Reserve from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra on November 14, 2024, as part of a strategy to boost the genetic diversity of the reserve's big cat population. Similipal faces issues with inbreeding and a lack of genetic flow due to inbreeding and a lack of migratory flow, leading to a rise in pseudo-melanistic tigers impacting its tiger population.
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Zeenat was initially kept in a soft release enclosure in the Chahala range for acclimatization before being released into the wild after 10 days. Similipal Tiger Reserve despite being an idyllic habitat for big cats, could not stop Yamuna and Zeenat, from crossing over. Both the big cats initially moved away to forests outside the sanctuary.
Zeenat entered West Bengal on December 19 and travelled across three districts, evading multiple attempts of capture. The animal was finally tranquilised and captured in Bankura on December 29 2024. Zeenat tigress had kept forest officials of three states - Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal - on their toes for 23 days following its exit from STR north on December 7 before being recaptured back on 31st December 2024 after which Zeenat was returned to Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha from Kolkata Zoological Gardens.
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Zeenat's journey demonstrated her adaptability and resilience,intelligence as she navigated diverse terrains and successfully avoided capture for a significant period. She is currently in a larger enclosure within Similipal, and officials are hopeful she will be released back into the wild soon. There are also reports that Zeenat mated with a male tiger, (T12) and may be pregnant.
The latest news on Tigress Yamuna is that while she briefly explored the nearby Kuldhia sanctuary, she has largely stayed within Similipal, establishing a territory and even hunting successfully. Wildlife officials are closely monitoring her movement, likely through radio collar signals, and are optimistic about her long-term adaptation to the reserve.
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Unfortunately,the 2018 translocation project to Satkosia faced challenges with tragic endings.Two big cats were relocated to Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Odisha, a male (Mahavir) from Kanha Tiger Reserve and a female (Sundari) from Bandhavgarh from Madhya Pradesh.
While Mahavir was killed by poachers,Sundari was returned to Madhya Pradesh in March 2021 after she attacked villagers and killed two people. She was found to have too much human imprinting, making it impossible to release her into the wild. Sundari's relocation to Satkosia was part of a first-of-its-kind inter-state tiger translocation project in India.
She was brought to Odisha's Satkosia Tiger Reserve in 2018, to help increase the tiger population there.Sundari spent three years in Satkosia and then a year in Kanha Tiger Reserve andeventually moved to Van Vihar National Park in Bhopal, where she will live in captivity for as long as she lives.
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To address these challenges,Odisha is undertaking several measures:Village Relocation: Over 400 families are being relocated from the core areas of Satkosia to reduce human interference. Prey Base Enhancement: 1,000 hectares of pastureland are being developed to improve the herbivore population according to NTCA guidelines. Strengthening, monitoring and protection measures for the relocated tigers with greater emphasis on community involvement and addressing their concerns.
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The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has given in-principle approval for declaring Debrigarh and surrounding forests as a tiger reserve.An expert committee has been formed to finalize the process ofthe proposed tiger reserve area is 804.51 sq km.
As we mark Global Tiger Day 2025, IUCN reaffirms its commitment to rights-based, inclusive conservation. By working in partnership with IPLCs, governments, donors, and conservation organizations, we are building a future where both tigers and the people who protect them can thrive.
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