Three-year-old tigress Zeenat strays across West Bengal, evading traps and baits set by forest officials

Zeenat, a three-year-old tigress relocated from Maharashtra to Odisha’s Similipal Reserve Forest (Image: Social Media)

Zeenat, a three-year-old tigress relocated from Maharashtra to Odisha’s Similipal Reserve Forest, has recently crossed into West Bengal. For the past two days, she has been roaming a 1-km stretch in Purulia district.

Bengal’s Chief Wildlife Warden Debal Roy confirmed that Zeenat is currently in Bandwan, a forested area in Purulia. “She’s moving within the dense forests,” Roy told PTI. The tigress is fitted with a radio collar, helping teams track her. Forest teams from Bengal and Odisha are monitoring her movements closely.

Zeenat has avoided the camouflaged traps and baits set up to capture her. Despite this, she continues her journey, shifting from one location to another. Authorities from both states are keeping watch over the tigress.

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Challenges in Tracking the Tigress
The hilly terrain and thorny bushes in the area have complicated the surveillance. These obstacles disrupt the radio signal, making it difficult to track Zeenat’s exact location. On Sunday evening, the signal showed she was heading towards Ghatsila in Jharkhand, but she changed direction. She remained in Bandwan, moving towards the Chilika forest area.

Relocation and Plans for Zeenat’s Return
Zeenat was relocated to Similipal on November 15 along with another tigress, Jamuna. Jamuna is adapting well to the new environment, while Zeenat has strayed further from her original habitat.

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Forest officials are working to guide Zeenat back to Similipal or capture her for release into the reserve. They are hopeful that the situation will avoid a man-animal conflict.