A tigress that spent 21 days traveling across three states in India has been safely tranquilised by the West Bengal Forest Department. The tigress, which was named Zeenat, covered over 300 km across Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal before being sedated near Gosaindihi village in the Bankura district of West Bengal.
Zeenat, a three-year-old tigress, was initially brought to Simlipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha on November 14 to help strengthen the gene pool of the reserve’s tiger population. The reserve is known for its melanistic tigers, and Zeenat’s relocation was part of a breeding program. However, just a few weeks later, on December 8, Zeenat left the reserve and ventured into Jharkhand.
For over a week, Zeenat wandered across Jharkhand, moving between various locations. She then crossed into West Bengal, traveling from Jhargram to Bandwan in Purulia district and on to Manbazar. By Sunday morning, she had entered the Ranibandh area in Bankura district.
After several days of monitoring, forest officials finally succeeded in tranquilising Zeenat near Gosaindihi village. The successful operation was hailed as a major achievement by the local authorities and wildlife conservationists alike.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee praised the efforts of the Forest Department and other local agencies involved in the operation. In a social media post, Banerjee expressed her gratitude, saying, “My heartiest congratulations to the forest officials of West Bengal on the successful rescue of the tigress Zeenat. This rescue is a shining example of teamwork and dedication toward wildlife conservation.”
Banerjee also thanked district administration, police, panchayat functionaries, and local citizens for their invaluable support in the mission, emphasizing the importance of wildlife protection and the need for collaborative conservation efforts.
The rescue operation highlights the challenges faced by wildlife authorities when managing tigers that stray from their designated habitats. In this case, Zeenat’s migration across state borders posed significant logistical hurdles, but the coordinated effort across multiple districts and states ensured her safe capture.
The tigress is now being carefully monitored and will likely undergo further assessments before being released back into a suitable tiger reserve.
Zeenat’s remarkable journey serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting India’s tiger population and the need for continued conservation efforts to ensure the survival of these majestic creatures.
Sources By Agencies