Maharashtra: Second female tigress from Tadoba soft-released in Chandoli National Park under Operation TARA

The operation is being conducted under the scientific guidance of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). PIC: Sahyadri Tiger Reserve

The Maharashtra Forest Department carried out the soft release of a two-year-old female tigress, T7-S2, from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve into the Sonarli enclosure at Chandoli National Park, Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, as part of Operation TARA (Tiger Augmentation and Range Expansion).

Captured on 8 December from the Korala Core Range, Pandharpauni area of Tadoba, the tigress underwent a thorough health check by Dr Ravikant Khobragade, Veterinary Officer (Wildlife), and was found to be perfectly fit for translocation. The soft release allows her to gradually acclimatise to the new terrain, prey base, and environmental conditions before being released into the open forest, ensuring safer settlement and habitat fidelity.

The operation is being conducted under the scientific guidance of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), with senior scientists Dr K. Ramesh and field biologist Akash Patil monitoring her acclimatisation and behaviour. At the national level, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is observing the operation through Dr Nandkishor Kale and Rohan Bhate.

Field execution was made possible by the dedicated efforts of the Tadoba Rapid Rescue Team (RRT) and frontline staff of the Korala Core Range, ensuring smooth capture, transport, and soft-release procedures. The operation is jointly conducted by teams from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve and Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, under the guidance of Dr Jitendra Ramgaokar, CCF Wildlife, Mumbai.

"Tigress T7-S2 is a young, healthy female dispersing from Tadoba. Her relocation strengthens tiger presence in the Sahyadri landscape," said Dr Prabhunath Shukla, Field Director of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve.

"The soft release is a crucial step in Sahyadri's tiger recovery mission. Chandoli provides a secure habitat with ample prey, and our teams are fully prepared to monitor and protect her," added Tushar Chavan, Field Director, Sahyadri Tiger Reserve.

M. Srinivas Reddy, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden, Maharashtra, said, "Operation TARA reflects the dedication of our field teams and strengthens Maharashtra's tiger conservation efforts."