Baripada : The mission launched to bring genetic diversity among the Royal Bengal tigers in the Similipal Tiger Reserve is heading towards success. According to Chief Wildlife Warden Prem Kumar Khakha, a three-year-old tigress named Bhinna brought from Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve is now reportedly pregnant.
Bhinna has adapted well to Similipal’s climate and habitat. Unlike the tigress Yamuna, who has not returned to Similipal since her release, Bhinna is now seen roaming with a male tiger named Ashira. Yamuna, being mature, has taken longer to choose her own territory, and is now staying in the Sulaikala Wildlife Sanctuary, often moving as far as Hadgarh, as per forest department sources.
The forest department has set a target to increase the number of Royal Bengal tigers in Similipal to over 100 by the year 2030.
News of Bhinna’s pregnancy has sparked excitement among wildlife lovers. She was released into the Similipal Tiger Reserve about a month and a half ago, after being transported from Nagpur’s Pench enclosure. Currently, she is roaming between Yamunagarh and Gurugudia forest areas along the Subarnarekha river.
Experts estimate that she will give birth by September. Yamuna was the first to be brought to Similipal before Bhinna. Yamuna was released into the core area on November 9, 2024, and has not returned since. She has reportedly traveled from Suitika forest to Hadgarh but has not yet interacted with any male tiger, according to forest officials.
There are no signs that Yamuna crossed the river to Jharkhand or West Bengal, indicating a change in her territorial behavior. Bhinna has claimed an area of around 25–30 sq. km as her territory. She was recently spotted with the 11-year-old resident tiger T-12 Milanashthik. Camera traps and footprints confirm that Bhinna and T-12 were seen together in the Yamunagarh–Gurugudia stretch, and they are estimated to have been mating for over two weeks.
Following the confirmed pregnancy, a special veterinary team has been deployed to monitor Bhinna. A Royal Bengal tigress typically has a gestation period of 105 days.
Notably, to improve genetic diversity in Similipal, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had decided to bring two tigresses. These tigresses—Yamuna and Bhinna—were relocated from Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve and released into the core areas of the Ramtirtha and South Divisions of the Similipal Tiger Reserve.
Currently, there are 42 Royal Bengal tigers in Similipal, including the two new tigresses. Of these, 34 are adults and 8 are cubs.
No responses yet