Forest officials and guards have formed a human shield cordoning off the area in Jharkhand where Zeenat, a three-year-old tigress, has been currently located. While special tracking units and tranquilizing teams, both from Odisha and Jharkhand are on their toes to contain the tigress, state forest officials in Bengal have intensified patrols just 10 kilometers from the borders.
A month ago, Zeenat, a tigress, and a tiger were introduced to Simlipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha from Tadoba – Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra, on November 14, as a part of a programme to strengthen the reserve’s gene pool. On December 10, Zeenat escaped Similipal Tiger Reserve and walked into Jharkhand, covering a distance of at least 35 kilometres. For the past eight days the Tigress has been in Jharkhand and is yet to show signs of returning to Odisha.
Satyajit Singh, chief conservator of forests, Jharkhand government pointed out that the “situation is critical”. “The tigress is presently located in the Chakulia area and just 300-400 metres from the nearest village. It has eaten cattle in the area a couple of days back. Our officials and guards have formed a human shield around the location where the tigress is. We have completely cordoned off the area where she is. We want to avoid any conflict situation and are trying to avoid panic among the locals. It has been eight days and the tigress is not moving back to Odisha as of now,” he said while speaking with The Indian Express over the phone.
“There is a radio collar on the tigress and it is being tracked 24/7. Teams of Simlipal Tiger Reserve and Odisha Forest department are constantly monitoring the situation from the ground along with us. We are playing a supportive role. Teams include tracking and tranquilizing experts who are present in the area where the Tigress is located,” added Singh.
He also stated that, “It is Odisha officials who will take a call on whether to finally tranquilize it. I am personally in touch with forest department officials in West Bengal who are on high alert at the border.”
Meanwhile, the escape of the tigress has sent forest officials of Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal into high alert and a tizzy.
“We are constantly monitoring the tigress. It has halted to a place and is there. It is of balanced mind presently, as per our observation. We plan to observe it more and then make a decision. It may also turn back to Odisha. That will be the best thing. We will only take decisions like tranquilisation if there is a conflict. Till now there is no conflict,” said Prakash Chand Gogineni, director, Simlipal Tiger Reserve, on a telephonic call with The Indian Express on Tuesday evening.
With the tigress merely 10 kilometers away, forest officials and police personnel in Bengal’s Jhargram district are on high alert, closely monitoring the border. Quick Response Teams (QRTs) are standby, poised to swing into action at a moment’s notice, should the tigress cross into Bengal.
“Our patrolling teams are there inside the forest along the state border. Police are also on alert and maintaining vigilance. We also have specialized teams including tranquilizing experts ready on standby. If and when it enters Bengal we will act according to the situation. We are in regular touch with Odisha and Jharkhand officials,” said a senior Bengal forest department official.
“We are not updating locals regarding the exact location of the tigress to avoid panic. Apart from the three patrolling teams which are positioned inside the forest at the border areas with Jharkhand, other teams are positioned near villages. We have asked our officials to keep a watch on forest pathways, which are frequented by villagers and school children,” said a highly placed forest department official.
Experts believe it is common for tigers to cover distances to find a suitable area or territory with a good prey base.