Male tiger STR-T1 (Senapati) and tigress STR-T4 (Chanda) have been seen moving together in Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, raising hopes for natural breeding and population recovery under the Tiger Recovery Project launched in collaboration with NTCA and WII
Tiger Senapati hunts an Indian Bison; Tigress Chanda's eyes glow in the top right corner of the picture. Pic/Sahyadri Tiger Reseve/ Maharashtra Forest Department
In what is being seen as an encouraging sign for wildlife enthusiasts and forest department staff engaged in tiger conservation at the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in western Maharashtra, male tiger STR-T1 (Senapati) and tigress STR-T4 (Chanda) have reportedly been moving together in the landscape.
With the aim of restoring the tiger population in the Sahyadri landscape, the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR), in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), launched the Tiger Recovery Project in 2017. The objective of the project is to establish an optimal, free-ranging tiger population in the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve by 2027 and strengthen ecological integrity in the region.
Pic/Sahyadri Tiger Reseve/ Maharashtra Forest Department
As part of this initiative, the first phase from 2017 to the end of 2022 that focused on increasing prey density through the Prey Augmentation Program, which was implemented successfully. Following research findings that confirmed the success of this phase, a proposal for the second phase of the Tiger Recovery Project was submitted. The proposal received approval from the fourth Technical Committee of the NTCA at its meeting held in New Delhi on October 9, 2023.
Based on this approval, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) granted permission to translocate eight tigers (three males and five females) from the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) and Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) to the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, after which the on-ground implementation began.
Sahyadri Tiger Reserves: A sustainable habitat for big cats
Due to sustained efforts and effective management by the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve administration, a suitable natural habitat for tigers has been developed in the landscape. Over the past three years, the presence of three male tigers namely STR-T1, STR-T2 and STR-T3 has been recorded, indicating the establishment of natural territories in Sahyadri. However, for natural population growth and breeding, the presence of tigresses was essential. Accordingly, as per the approved plan, tigresses STR-T4 (Chanda) and STR-T5 (Tara) from Tadoba–Andhari Tiger Reserve were successfully translocated to Sahyadri.
A crucial aspect of the project was whether the resident male tigers in Sahyadri would coexist with the translocated tigresses, a key factor for successful breeding. This appears to be progressing positively.
STR Field Director Tushar Chavan said, "Inputs from tiger monitoring teams and camera-trap footage over the past week indicate that STR-T1 (Senapati) and STR-T4 (Chanda) have been roaming together in the Amba forest range under the Chandoli Wildlife Division. This is a natural behaviour in the wild and is seen as a crucial development from the breeding and tiger population recovery point of view in the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve."
STR-T1 (Senapati) has established a strong natural territory in Sahyadri over the past three years and is known for his dominance across a vast landscape. Tigress STR-T4 (Chanda) has also established her home range within the same forest area, covering approximately 35 square kilometers. This development is highly encouraging, and the joint movement of STR-T1 and STR-T4 is expected to facilitate the early natural increase of the tiger population in the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve.
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