The tigress was captured on Thursday around 5 pm from the Nagalwadi forest range of Pench Tiger Reserve in central India, following which she was transported to the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve. After the road journey, the wild cat was taken by boat into the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary
The tigress was released at a safe location in the core forest area of the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday morning. PHOTO/Sahyadri Tiger Reserve
In what can be termed good news for wildlife lovers, a third tigress, STR-06, was released into the wild at the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in western Maharashtra on Saturday.
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The tigress was captured on Thursday around 5 pm from the Nagalwadi forest range of Pench Tiger Reserve in central India, following which she was transported to the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve.
After the road journey, the wild cat was taken by boat into the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary, which forms part of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, on Friday night.
Upon arrival, veterinary officers conducted a medical examination, after which the tigress was offered water and meat, both of which she consumed.
On Saturday at 6 am, the tigress was released at a safe location in the core forest area of the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary.
Tigress STR-06 expected to pair with resident male tiger Baji at Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary
Officials said tigress STR-06 is expected to pair with the resident male tiger STR-03, popularly known as Baji, in the sanctuary. The development is likely to boost wildlife tourism in the region.
Spread across 1,165 sq km, the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve spans Satara, Sangli and Kolhapur districts and is one of the Maharashtra government’s ambitious conservation projects. The reserve is rich in biodiversity and is home to several rare species of flora and fauna in western Maharashtra.
Saturday’s operation was carried out under the guidance of Sahyadri Tiger Reserve Field Director Tushar Chavan, with Deputy Director Kiran Jagtap, Assistant Conservator of Forests Baba Hakke, Range Forest Officer Sangram Godse (flying squad), Akshay Salunkhe (Koyna), Vijay Bate (Bamnoli), Tushar Jankar (Patan), Akshay Karmalkar (Kandat), honorary wildlife wardens Rohan Bhate and Sunil Bhoite, along with forest guards and frontline staff.
Speaking about the tiger's release into the reserve, Chavan said, “This third tigress released at Sahyadri Tiger Reserve marks the beginning of a new phase for Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary. With no resident female for the existing male tiger STR-03, the introduction of a new tigress into his territory is expected to aid the continuity of the species and also strengthen the tourism prospects of the reserve.”
The tigress was earlier identified as PTR-123 at Pench Tiger Reserve. Following her relocation to Sahyadri, she has been assigned the official identification number STR-06. Local guides at Sahyadri have named her ‘Hirkani’.
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