Baripada: The Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Odisha is all set to get two new melanistic Royal Bengal Tigers (RBTs) from Maharashtra for which necessary steps are underway.
According to forest department officials, the translocation of tigers is aimed at raising the tiger population in the reserve, located in Mayurbhanj district. It will also go a long way in dealing with inbreeding by increasing genetic diversity.
A team of forest officials including the STR Director, Assistant Director, and veterinary doctors has already left for Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve. A rapid response team is also accompanying them.
Sources said the two new tigers will be translocated from the Tadoba National Park, the largest Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra.
The translocation process will begin after the special team identifies two tigers to be brought to Similipal. The Odisha government had earlier written to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to consider introducing female tigers to Similipal.
As part of the plan, Odisha government wants to bring five tigers, three for Debrigarh and two for Similipal. The tigers will be brought from Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra for this purpose.
As per the latest estimate, there are as many as 28 tigers in Similipal reserve.