The West Bengal Forest Department has erected a nylon fence over a one-square-kilometre area on the fringes of the Bandwan forest range in Purulia district to deter tigress Zeenat from encroaching on nearby human settlements.
The measure, mirroring similar fencing used in the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, comes amid ongoing efforts to capture the elusive big cat, which strayed from Odisha’s Similipal Reserve Forest two weeks ago.
Chief Conservator of Forests S. Kulandaivel revealed that the tigress was last spotted amidst thorny shrubs near a hill within the Bandwan forest range.
“She has moved a short distance in the past two days, and her movements are being tracked with the aid of a radio collar,” he said.
To ensure public safety, villagers have been alerted about Zeenat's presence in the area.
“Three tranquilising teams are strategically positioned, and live baits have been placed along potential paths of the animal,” Kulandaivel added. However, the tigress has yet to approach the bait.
The fencing, installed by personnel from the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, aims to prevent Zeenat from straying into human habitats. Sundarbans staff were brought in for their expertise, given the frequency of tiger intrusions into villages near the mangrove forest.
Zeenat’s movement is also being monitored by teams from the Odisha Forest Department. “Smart cameras are being set up to track her movement and behaviour,” Chief Wildlife Warden Debal Roy confirmed.
Zeenat, who crossed into West Bengal from Jharkhand six days ago, has travelled over 100 km through forests in Jhargram and Paschim Medinipur before arriving in Purulia. Despite efforts, she shows no inclination to return to her habitat in Similipal.
Forest officials speculate the tigress is in search of a new territory. The terrain, characterised by dense thorny bushes and hills, has complicated attempts to recapture her, while intermittent radio collar signals pose additional challenges.
“Efforts are underway to either guide her back to Similipal or capture and relocate her,” a senior official said.
Zeenat and another tigress, Jamuna, were translocated from Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve to Similipal in late October to introduce genetic diversity to the tiger population. While Jamuna remains in Similipal, Zeenat wandered off shortly after her release on 24 November.
The discovery of a half-eaten goat carcass near a village has heightened local fears, even as forest personnel await an opportunity to capture the elusive predator.
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