Zeenat finding mate raises hopes for genetic diversity in Similipal: Official
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Bhubaneswar: With tigress Zeenat finding a mate in Similipal Tiger Reserve, and Yamuna also settling in the habitat, wildlife officials hope it will go a long way in bringing about genetic diversity in the big cat population.
"Both Zeenat and Yamuna almost getting settled in the reserve has marked the beginning of Similipal's journey to welcome genetic variation in big cats. Zeenat was released perfectly during her estrus cycle, during which she goes through hormonal changes, leaving no scope for further dispersal," said chief wildlife warden Prem Kumar Jha.
Tiger population in Similipal has been growing at 18% annually since 2014, but 50% of the population is pseudo-melanistic, wildlife officials said.
National Centre for Biological Sciences scientist Uma Ramakrishnan during her research in 2021 had suggested that genetic diversity is needed to check pseudo-melanism, a trait of inbreeding, and sustain big cats in Similipal.
Ramakrishnan had proposed the translocation of tigers from the central India landscape as the big cat population in Similipal had less genetic diversity. "The findings also identified that the population is isolated, and inbreeding is going on.
Therefore, a genetic rescue strategy was required, which is going to become successful now," Jha added.
With approval of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve was chosen to select tigresses for translocation. Tigress Yamuna was identified in TATR as T-158 (S3), and Zeenat was known as T-163 (S1).
In Feb, state govt released its own tiger estimation report that pegged Similipal's big cat population at 27.
Of these, 24 were caught on camera trap, and it was found there are 10 males and 14 females.
Zeenat was captured on Dec 29 last year in West Bengal after she dispersed and was released back into a soft enclosure on Jan 1. "On showing signs of estrus, male T-12 was attracted near Zeenat's enclosure. Taking the opportunity, she was finally released into the wild on April 17," Jha further said.
Wildlife officials said that while they have video evidence of Zeenat getting a partner, they are yet to get any evidence of Yamuna finding a mate, although she has settled in the Similipal biosphere region under Kuldhia Wildlife Sanctuary.
Yamuna was released in Similipal's South division. Zeenat was first released in the north, and in south the second time.
Zeenat is being monitored round-the-clock by multiple tracking teams in eight-hour shifts, with each team having four personnel. "Monitoring is being done by walkie-talkies continuously as well as through satellite-based GPS location obtained every four hours," an official said.
Former PCCF (wildlife), Susanta Nanda, during whose tenure the translocation started, said the revival of Similipal landscape and tiger population is now on the right track.
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Time of India
19 hours ago
- Time of India
Zeenat finding mate raises hopes for genetic diversity in Similipal: Official
1 2 Bhubaneswar: With tigress Zeenat finding a mate in Similipal Tiger Reserve, and Yamuna also settling in the habitat, wildlife officials hope it will go a long way in bringing about genetic diversity in the big cat population. "Both Zeenat and Yamuna almost getting settled in the reserve has marked the beginning of Similipal's journey to welcome genetic variation in big cats. Zeenat was released perfectly during her estrus cycle, during which she goes through hormonal changes, leaving no scope for further dispersal," said chief wildlife warden Prem Kumar Jha. Tiger population in Similipal has been growing at 18% annually since 2014, but 50% of the population is pseudo-melanistic, wildlife officials said. National Centre for Biological Sciences scientist Uma Ramakrishnan during her research in 2021 had suggested that genetic diversity is needed to check pseudo-melanism, a trait of inbreeding, and sustain big cats in Similipal. Ramakrishnan had proposed the translocation of tigers from the central India landscape as the big cat population in Similipal had less genetic diversity. "The findings also identified that the population is isolated, and inbreeding is going on. Therefore, a genetic rescue strategy was required, which is going to become successful now," Jha added. With approval of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve was chosen to select tigresses for translocation. Tigress Yamuna was identified in TATR as T-158 (S3), and Zeenat was known as T-163 (S1). In Feb, state govt released its own tiger estimation report that pegged Similipal's big cat population at 27. Of these, 24 were caught on camera trap, and it was found there are 10 males and 14 females. Zeenat was captured on Dec 29 last year in West Bengal after she dispersed and was released back into a soft enclosure on Jan 1. "On showing signs of estrus, male T-12 was attracted near Zeenat's enclosure. Taking the opportunity, she was finally released into the wild on April 17," Jha further said. Wildlife officials said that while they have video evidence of Zeenat getting a partner, they are yet to get any evidence of Yamuna finding a mate, although she has settled in the Similipal biosphere region under Kuldhia Wildlife Sanctuary. Yamuna was released in Similipal's South division. Zeenat was first released in the north, and in south the second time. Zeenat is being monitored round-the-clock by multiple tracking teams in eight-hour shifts, with each team having four personnel. "Monitoring is being done by walkie-talkies continuously as well as through satellite-based GPS location obtained every four hours," an official said. Former PCCF (wildlife), Susanta Nanda, during whose tenure the translocation started, said the revival of Similipal landscape and tiger population is now on the right track.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Similipal tigress Zeenat that created terror in 3 states 'pregnant', claims forest official
Bhubaneswar, Tigress Zeenat, which escaped from Similipal National Park and roamed across Odisha, West Bengal, and Jharkhand, is now suspected to be pregnant, a senior forest department official said. Similipal tigress Zeenat that created terror in 3 states 'pregnant', claims forest official Captured in Bankura district of West Bengal after a dramatic 23-day journey through three states, Zeenat was brought back to Similipal and kept in a soft enclosure from January 1, where she was observed for several weeks. "She was found fit and healthy during her stay in the enclosure. On April 17, Zeenat was released into the wild," the official said. According to the official, even during her enclosure stay, Zeenat had shown signs of estrus and responded to the presence of a wild melanistic male tiger, T12. "Zeenat, even during her stay in a large enclosure, showed signs of estrus towards a wild male tiger . Taking this opportunity, the tigress was released from the enclosure. Mating with T12 was recorded on thermal cameras installed at Jamuna meadow in the second week of May," the official said. Since her release, Zeenat has been moving inside the core area of STR and hunting natural prey such as cheetal, sambar, and wild boar. "The tigress is being monitored 24 hours by tracking teams. Each team consists of 4 people. It is also being monitored using satellite-based GPS," he said. "She has stopped mating and has isolated herself — both strong indicators of pregnancy. Given that the gestation period in tigers ranges from 105 to 120 days, we expect Zeenat to give birth by August or early September," the official said. Zeenat was brought to Similipal from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra as part of tiger supplementation project. She escaped from STR on December 7 and roamed around three states before being captured in West Bengal's Bankura after 23 days. According to a research by Dr Uma Ramakrishnan of the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru, in 2021, the population of tigers inside Similipal is genetically isolated and inbreeding is taking place within the reserve. To counter this trend, it was proposed to translocate tigers from the central Indian landscape to STR, the official added. Although the tiger population in Similipal has been increasing at about 18 per cent annually since 2014, nearly 50 per cent of them display pseudo-melanistic coat colour, indicating high inbreeding, he said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Time of India
Tadoba tigers gorge on flying squirrels, mongoose but sambar remains top pick
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