A five-year-old tigress was captured from the Dhela range of the Corbett Tiger Reserve for translocation to the Rajaji Tiger Reserve, according to an official announcement made on Sunday.
Saket Badola, the Director of Rajaji Tiger Reserve, confirmed that the tigress was captured on March 7 as part of the ongoing Tiger Relocation Project aimed at bolstering the tiger population at Rajaji.
The captured tigress is set to be translocated to the Motichur range of Rajaji after undergoing necessary medical examination, Badola stated. Currently, it is being housed at a rescue center in the Dhela range of Corbett.
Badola further noted that preparations are underway at the enclosure in the Motichur range of Rajaji for the arrival of the tigress.
A team of veterinary doctors has been assembled and trained specifically to monitor the tigress following its soft release from the enclosure, Badola added. This will mark the fourth instance of a tigress being translocated to the Rajaji Tiger Reserve.
Previous attempts at introducing tigers to the Motichur range did not yield desired breeding results despite the presence of one male and two female tigers, Badola explained.
Highlighting the suitability of Rajaji Tiger Reserve for tigers from a wildlife management perspective, Badola emphasized factors such as ample food, water, shelter, and minimal human interference.