Zeenat delivered four cubs. What does it signify for Similipal’s tiger conservation programme?
It must be viewed from the perspective of Similipal’s tiger population, which evolved from a very small founder base, resulting in limited genetic diversity. These cubs are the result of breeding between a Central Indian tiger and a Similipal tiger, thereby introducing a more diverse gene pool into the population.
Under natural conditions, such genetic exchange may not have occurred over the last four decades. The loss of the source tiger population in Palamu Tiger Reserve over the past five decades likely restricted the movement of tigers from the Central Indian landscape into Similipal, leading to prolonged isolation and a narrowing of the genetic base of Similipal tigers.
The first generation of cubs from Zeenat is expected to reverse this trend. She may go on to produce more litters, helping establish a tiger population with broader genetic architecture in Similipal.
Zeenat’s journey was highly unusual. What were the key lessons and how did they influence subsequent management decisions?
After spending eight days in an enclosure, Zeenat was released on November 24, 2024. She stayed in the vicinity for about four days but then started moving northwards into Jharkhand and later into West Bengal.
The tigress was expected to experience translocation shock due to tranquilisation and the capture process, the stress of finding herself in an unfamiliar geography away from the familiarity of her home, and the presence of new territorial tigers around her. We anticipated that she would move rapidly while exploring the region. We expected that she might venture outside the tiger reserve and forest areas initially but would eventually return. This is what happened in the case of Jamuna.
After their release, both tigresses moved towards the boundary and ventured out. Jamuna used to return during the daytime. Zeenat, however, appeared determined not to return. She moved into the Chakulia forests of Jharkhand, stayed there for about a week, and then headed into West Bengal.
Both were young adult females that had recently separated from their mother and were expected to be cautious about entering the territories of other female tigers. In the wild, young females usually use their mothers’ home range as an anchor and gradually establish their own territories, by which time the local dominant male would be ready to pair. However, this did not happen in the case of translocation to Similipal.
Similipal had a very low tiger density but existing female territories spread across the park. As a result, when Jamuna and Zeenat were released, their first instinct was to avoid the territories of resident females. In the process, they immediately moved towards the fringes and attempted to leave the reserve. Jamuna found Kuldiha to be safe, as there were no other tigers, and eventually settled there. Zeenat, however, could not find a suitable area.
This prompted us to revise our strategy when Zeenat was brought back. A larger enclosure system was developed at Jamuna meadow, comprising an 8-hectare enclosure for the tigress and a 4-hectare boma. It was designed in a way that natural prey such as deer could be released into the enclosure through the boma, allowing the tigress to anchor herself to the enclosure while remaining secure from other adult females. It also enabled the local dominant male to make contact across the fence and seek pairing opportunities.
This change in management strategy worked exactly as expected. Zeenat was brought back into the enclosure on January 1, 2025. Within 40 days, the enclosure was expanded further and she was moved into the larger area.
During March and April, the tigress showed several signs of settling into the larger enclosure without stress, while the local dominant male, T-12, started visiting the enclosure regularly. Interactions between the two tigers took place across the fence. In April, after observing Zeenat giving oestrous calls and the continued presence of the male outside, the fence doors were opened. In the following days, the two tigers mated. This ultimately led to Zeenat accepting the area and settling down.
Scientific research that guided the tiger supplementation in Similipal?
The scientific understanding of the isolation and genetic basis of pseudo-melanism in Similipal tigers emerged from the work of Dr Uma Ramakrishnan, which resulted in two research papers: a) High frequency of an otherwise rare phenotype in a small and isolated tiger population (2021) by Viany Sagar and Uma Ramakrishnan. b) Genomic evidence of inbreeding depression and purging of deleterious genetic variation in Indian Tigers (2021) by Anubhab Khan and Uma Ramakrishnan.
The research team worked in Similipal during 2018 and 2019 and sampled 12 tigers from the reserve. In addition, the team sampled 366 tigers from three different landscapes - Northwest India (Ranthambore), Central India and South India. The northwest landscape was considered a small isolated population, while the central and southern landscapes represented large, connected populations.
The study found that pseudo-melanism is caused by an autosomal recessive mutation in the Taqpep gene. The paper also compared average heterozygosity and relatedness among individuals across the three landscapes. A healthy tiger population should have high heterozygosity and low relatedness among individuals.
The heterozygosity of Similipal tigers was found to be 0.28, which is low, while the relatedness among individuals was high at 0.38. Both these indicators showed that the Similipal tiger population had low genetic diversity.
Research by the same scientists also found that Central Indian tigers were genetically more diverse, with Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) showing the highest diversity and the least genetic load. Therefore, TATR was selected as the source population.
Such scientific studies formed the basis for every step of the translocation process. Experiences from other tiger reserves were also studied before initiating the translocation programme.
Monitoring and protection measures to ensure safety and healthy development of Zeenat and her cubs in the critical early months?
Since the tigress is fitted with an active radio collar, her movement patterns are regularly monitored by the staff. VHF signals are tracked round the clock by a team of trackers working in three shifts, with three personnel in each shift.
As the cubs are very young, the mother is not expected to move far from the den location. Patrol staff have been strategically positioned to prevent human movement near the tiger’s location. Since this is a natural process, there is limited scope for intervention. The tigress will continue to hunt prey and raise her cubs naturally.
Benchmarks that determine the long-term success of the supplementation programme?
The translocation project’s medium-term objective of bringing in female tigers and producing the first generation of cubs through pairing with Similipal tigers has been achieved.
The long-term objective is to increase the genetic diversity of the Similipal tiger population. The success of this effort will become evident through scientific assessments in the coming decades. The heterozygosity levels should improve and eventually become comparable to tiger populations in the Central and South Indian landscapes.
Multiple melanistic tiger skin seizures from STR fringe areas have been reported. What protection challenges does Similipal continue to face?
The challenges faced by Similipal must be understood in the context of its location within the Chotanagpur plateau region, which includes Jharkhand, northern Odisha, southwestern parts of West Bengal and adjoining areas. In this larger landscape, there is no other breeding tiger population except Similipal, which itself suffered from very low tiger densities for several decades.
These forested landscapes are dominated by tribal populations with a long tradition of bushmeat hunting. Over the years, this led to the depletion of the prey base. In Similipal, the challenge has been no different. Hundreds of villages surrounding the reserve continue to depend on forests for their livelihoods. Until recently, practices such as Akhand Shikar were common. Although these poaching practices have been significantly curtailed, they have not been eliminated entirely.
Several measures have been taken over the last few years. AI-supported surveillance cameras providing real-time inputs were deployed extensively and have had a major impact in preventing poaching. The cameras now cover more than 50 per cent of the tiger reserve under surveillance.
The Similipal Tiger Protection Force (STPF) was reorganised into a commando-style force equipped with advanced weapons and specialised training. This has proved useful in tackling large groups entering the reserve with firearms. Ex-servicemen were also inducted to strengthen the STPF.
Connectivity and communication infrastructure were significantly improved, along with logistical support such as vehicles. The tiger reserve now has around 75 vehicles, including modified all-terrain Mahindra Thars, Mahindra Campers, Tata Yodhas and Boleros.
Wildlife safari operations were introduced through the purchase of 35 vehicles operated by Eco Development Committees (EDCs). Several local people associated with EDCs were trained as nature guides. Nature camps were established and expanded, with nearly 100 rooms now available for ecotourism operations. This has made Similipal the largest community-based nature camp operation in Odisha.
To involve local communities in conservation efforts, the Ama Similipal Yojana was conceptualised and approved by the government. The five-year project, with an outlay of Rs 125 crore, focuses on livelihood generation, green skilling of youth, ecotourism and bridging infrastructure gaps in fringe villages. The initiative is expected to significantly strengthen public support for tiger conservation.
Staff welfare has also been prioritised. All temporary staff in Similipal are provided with rations, with nearly Rs 1.8 crore spent annually by the Similipal Tiger Conservation Foundation. This makes Similipal one of the few tiger reserves in the country to undertake such measures.
Role of local communities and frontline forest staff in Zeenat’s story?
The frontline staff of Similipal work under extremely difficult conditions. They stay in camps inside the core area, away from their families for long periods. They also face armed poachers, who often open fire on protection staff.
Despite these challenges, the staff have delivered significant results, which are reflected in the statistics from the past three years. More than 200 people have been arrested in connection with wildlife crimes and several illegal firearms have been seized.
In Zeenat’s case, the work carried out by frontline staff, assistant conservators of forests (ACFs), deputy directors (DDs), veterinarians and biologists — from bringing her from Tadoba to recapturing the tigress and reintroducing her into Similipal — has been exemplary.
The teams worked away from home, slept in vehicles, tracked the tigress round the clock across human-dominated landscapes and ensured the safety of both people and the tiger. The necessary enclosure infrastructure was also created on a war footing by the staff.
Are there plans for additional translocations or other interventions in Similipal?
The initial project envisaged the release of six tigers - five females and one male - over a period of five years. NTCA approval was granted for the first phase involving the release of two tigresses, which has now been completed. The next phase will depend on a review of the current experience and its outcomes.
Your broader vision for the reserve over the next decade?
The broader vision is to develop Similipal into a vibrant tiger reserve where all components of biodiversity are represented at their full carrying capacity.
Given the current prey base, Similipal has the carrying capacity to support around 75 adult tigers. This target should be achieved within the next five years.
However, the larger Similipal landscape - including Kuldiha and Hadgarh sanctuaries, along with the connecting reserve forests of Rebana, Atei and Ranjagarh in Keonjhar, Dhenkanal and Jajpur districts - has the potential to support up to 200 tigers.
This can gradually be achieved as Similipal evolves into a source population over the next decade. At the same time, the vast Similipal landscape should continue to sustainably support the livelihoods of communities living around the reserve.
Zeenat's timeline
Captured, translocated from Tadoba
First released in Similipal, moves to Jharkhand & West Bengal
Brought back & re-released in new 8-ha enclosure at Jamuna Meadow
Mates with T-12, first cross-lineage pairing in decades
Four cubs confirmed, camera traps capture historic litter