Baripada (Odisha)-In a heartening development for wildlife conservation in Odisha, tigress Zeenat—relocated from Maharashtra’s Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve—has adapted beautifully to her new home in the Similipal Tiger Reserve of Mayurbhanj district and is now pregnant. Forest officials expect her to give birth this September, marking a milestone in India’s efforts to strengthen tiger populations through strategic relocation.
Zeenat, a three-year-old tigress, arrived in Similipal in November 2024 as part of a conservation relocation programme. However, her journey was anything but smooth. Shortly after being released into the wild, she escaped the sanctuary and travelled across state borders through Jharkhand and into West Bengal’s Purulia district. Her unexpected voyage sparked concern among conservationists, but a coordinated effort between the forest departments of Odisha and West Bengal ensured her safe rescue and return in January 2025.
Following her return, Zeenat was slowly reintroduced into the reserve. She spent time in a soft enclosure, then a larger one, before being released into the core forest area in May. Since then, she has not only adjusted to the Similipal landscape but has also formed a bond with a native male tiger, known as T-12—a melanistic (black) tiger. Forest trackers recently confirmed that the two mated, and Zeenat is now expecting cubs.
Wildlife officials describe Zeenat’s pregnancy as a significant conservation success. It not only validates the relocation strategy but also indicates her healthy integration into a completely new habitat. Her decision to settle in the Gudgudia region after moving from the Jamunagarh area shows her natural instincts at work as she established her own territory.
What makes Zeenat’s story particularly inspiring is her resilience—overcoming a challenging translocation, navigating unfamiliar terrain, and now contributing to the revival of Similipal’s tiger population. Her expected cubs could play a crucial role in maintaining genetic diversity and strengthening the tiger gene pool in eastern India.
As conservationists and forest officials eagerly await the birth, Zeenat’s journey stands as a beacon of hope. Her story is a living testament to what can be achieved through collaboration, careful planning, and a deep respect for wildlife.
This upcoming September, the forests of Similipal may echo with the tiny roars of a new generation—one born out of courage, adaptation, and the relentless commitment of India’s tiger conservation mission.
