Baripada: In a heartening development for wildlife conservation, tigress Zeenat has delivered four healthy cubs in Odisha’s Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) on May 28, sparking optimism among forest officials and enthusiasts.
The cubs, still in their early days with eyes yet to open, are being closely monitored by the forest department. Both the mother and her litter are reported to be in good health. A trap camera has captured striking images of the tigress carrying one of her cubs in her mouth, highlighting her protective instincts and drawing widespread attention from conservationists.
Forest Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia expressed delight over the news and noted that the newborns are expected to gradually adapt to Similipal’s rich ecosystem and biodiversity. “This is encouraging news for the reserve,” the minister said, underscoring the importance of the development for the tiger population.
With around 40 tigers currently in S in Mayurbhanj district, the arrival of the four cubs reflects positively on ongoing conservation initiatives.
Zeenat was translocated from Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in November 2024 as part of efforts to strengthen the tiger gene pool in Similipal. She later made international headlines for her month-long, 300 km trek across Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. The tigress exited from STR north on December 7, 2024, wandering through Bangiriposhi Ghat, the Badampahar-Dhobadhobin elephant corridor, Chaibasa in Jharkhand, and West Bengal’s Rajabas. It was captured after a 21-day chase. She was again released into the wild towards April 16-17, 2025, after being kept in an enclosure for nearly four months, and was later observed roaming with resident tiger T-12.
Her successful motherhood months after translocation is expected to bolster Similipal’s tiger population with new genetic traits.
