Baripada: In a heartening boost for wildlife conservation, tigress Zeenat has been spotted roaming with her four cubs in Odisha’s Similipal Tiger Reserve. The rare sighting has delighted forest officials and conservationists alike, signalling healthy breeding success and reinforcing Similipal’s growing reputation as a thriving habitat for tigers.
The information was shared by the Similipal Tiger Reserve authorities through social media, accompanied by recent photographs of the tigress and her young ones.
Zeenat, who was translocated to Similipal sanctuary from the renowned Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in November 2024 as part of a special conservation initiative, has adapted well to the favourable habitat conditions of Similipal and later gave birth to four cubs in the core forest area.
Forest officials have confirmed that the cubs are healthy and are freely moving with their mother in the protected core zone.
Before becoming a mother, Zeenat had attracted significant attention after being released into the wild in 2024. Following her release, she reportedly travelled nearly 300 kilometres in fear and crossed state boundaries, moving through Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. She was later tracked and brought back to Similipal by a specialised wildlife team.
Authorities have fitted Zeenat with a satellite-based GPS collar, allowing continuous 24-hour monitoring of her movement and behaviour. In addition, multiple camera traps have been installed across the forest to closely observe the health and development of the cubs.
To ensure the safety of the tigress and her cubs, as well as to protect them from poachers and forest fires, dedicated forest protection teams are actively monitoring the area.
Officials have described this as a positive sign for tiger conservation efforts in the region, highlighting successful adaptation and breeding within the protected ecosystem.