Speaking about the sighting, STR Field Director said the tiger STR T9 has been captured in multiple camera traps over the past two months inside Chandoli National Park. Several photographs and videos have documented his movement in the area
The tiger has been officially coded STR T9. PIC/Sahyadri Tiger Reseve
In a major cheer for wildlife enthusiasts, the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) in Maharashtra has recorded the presence of a new male tiger, taking the total tiger population in the landscape to seven.
The tiger has been officially coded STR T9.
Speaking about the sighting, STR Field Director Tushar Chavan said, “The tiger STR T9 has been captured in multiple camera traps over the past two months inside Chandoli National Park. Several photographs and videos have documented his movement in the area. Currently, T9 is frequently moving within the territory of tigress T5 (Tara). Local guides have named the new entrant ‘Shiledar’.”
With this addition, the total tiger count in the Sahyadri landscape now stands at:
T1 – Senapati
T2 – Subhedar
T3 – Baji
T4 – Chanda
T5 – Tara
T6 – Hirkani
T9 – Shiledar.
Maharashtra: Three males move within tigress Tara’s range
At present, three male tigers — T1 (Senapati), T2 (Subhedar), and the newly recorded T9 (Shiledar) — are moving within the territory of T5 (Tara). Forest officials said it remains to be seen which male the tigress eventually chooses.
Chavan termed the development “extremely encouraging” for the Sahyadri landscape.
Honorary Wildlife Warden Rohan Bhatte said the growing tiger numbers underline the region’s rich biodiversity. He noted that wildlife corridors connecting Radhanagari and the Tilari-Dodamarg forest areas are playing a crucial role in facilitating tiger movement and breeding.
Experts highlight corridor importance
“The tiger identified as STR T9 was first photographed in December 2024 by a camera trap installed by the Sawantwadi Forest Division. At the time, it had preyed on cattle. The same tiger was later captured on camera traps in Dajipur (Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary) in January 2025, indicating that it had moved northward through the tiger corridor. Most recently, it was recorded again in January and February 2026 inside the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve,” said Girish Punjabi, Wildlife Biologist at the Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT).
He added, “STR T9 is a young male tiger dispersing in search of a suitable territory. His movement once again highlights the crucial importance of the corridor leading to the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve for long-term tiger conservation.”
Forest officials said the latest sighting reflects sustained conservation efforts and improved habitat connectivity in the Sahyadri landscape.
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