Rescued Tiger Cub Begins New Journey in Similipal’s Core Forest
Baripada: An eight-month-old female tiger cub rescued from Kaparkhai village under the Thakurmunda forest range has been released into the core area of Similipal Tiger Reserve for acclimatisation, marking a significant step in its rehabilitation and rewilding journey.
The cub was rescued on September 25 after being found in the village area.
Following the rescue, forest officials provided round-the-clock veterinary care, nutritious feed, and health monitoring at the Thakurmunda range office campus.
According to forest authorities, the cub showed remarkable improvement during its week-long rehabilitation period.
Medical examinations, including blood and faecal sample tests conducted at the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), confirmed that the animal was free from any disease or infection.
After receiving a clean bill of health, the tiger cub was transported to the Jamuna enclosure located within the core area of Similipal Tiger Reserve on October 2.
The controlled enclosure will allow the cub to acclimatise to its natural surroundings while being closely monitored by wildlife experts.
Forest officials stated that the cub has remained healthy and active since its release into the enclosure.
Its behaviour, hunting instincts, and adaptation to the wild environment will be assessed as part of the ongoing rewilding process.
The final decision regarding the cub’s release into the wild will be taken after evaluating its progress during the acclimatisation phase.
Wildlife authorities are optimistic that the rehabilitation effort will aid in strengthening conservation initiatives within Similipal, one of Odisha’s premier tiger habitats.
