2 Ranthambore tigresses to be relocated to Mukundra

JAIPUR: The forest administration at the Ranthambore National Park (RNP) has identified two tigresses, T-99 and T-102, for relocation to the Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve (MHTR).

These tigresses have been shortlisted as they both are moving out from of their present territories. A source with the forest department said that tigress T-99 is nearly three-years-old and is daughter of tigress T-60.

The mother tigress (T-60) and the daughter (T-99) were living in Gudda forest area territory, which fall under zone-2 of RNP. However, the daughter T-99 has been making attempts to move to zone-10 lately, which is the territory of tigresses T-79 and T-13.

Similarly, tigress T-102, which has been shortlisted for relocation is living in Bakola forest area that falls under zone-5 of RNP. “Though tigress T-102 has been identified for relocation, there is a slight possibility that her mother T-73 could be shifted instead of her,” a forest official said.

He added that the forest department had also considered relocating one of the three female cubs of tigress T-39. The proposal was turned down as the three females have not separated from their mother yet.

On Monday, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) gave its in-principle approval to relocate two tigresses.

The lone tiger at MHTR is now expected to have tigress from the RNP by the end of July. A forest official said, “All issues regarding relocation of tigers to Mukundra have been sorted out with the NTCA. Approval has been granted for relocation of two tigresses from Ranthambore to Mukundra. The relocation is expected to happen before July.”

Sources in the department said, earlier state forest department sent the detailed project report as sought by the NTCA, “The in-principle approval accorded by the technical committee of this authority for re-introduction of tigers at the MHTR, which was received earlier, was in abeyance for want of compliance to recommendation made by a committee constituted by this authority. However, issues were sorted out during the meeting and formal approval was given by the technical committee,’’ said a senior officer of the department.