Odisha: Tigress 'Jinath' gives birth to four cubs in Similipal

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], June 3 (HBTV): Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday informed that tigress 'Jinath', relocated from Maharashtra's Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, has given birth to four cubs in Similipal.

'Today, a proud chapter has been added to Odisha's natural resources and wildlife conservation efforts. The tigress "Jinath", relocated from Maharashtra's Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, has given birth to four cubs in the conducive environment of Similipal,' he said in a post on X.

'This success not only signifies an increase in the tiger population in the state but also stands as an excellent testament to our administrative foresight in protecting biodiversity and creating a safe and robust habitat for wildlife,' he noted.

He further added that special measures have been taken by the Forest Department to ensure the safety of the mother and cubs and that their movements are being continuously monitored.

'Thanks to the dedicated vigil and effective conservation policies of our forest staff, Odisha has today established itself as a secure sanctuary for wildlife. Our government remains fully committed to preserving the ecological balance of Similipal and strengthening the state's wildlife conservation initiatives in the days ahead,' he added.

In April, in a remarkable and rare wildlife event, a young male Royal Bengal tiger walked approximately 800 kilometres through forests and varied landscapes before entering Odisha's renowned Similipal Tiger Reserve.

The long-distance dispersal was described as an 'astonishing first' by officials.

The tiger, estimated to be four to five years old and a prime adult male, was detected through camera traps installed as part of the ongoing all-India tiger census.

Wildlife experts view such long-distance movements as evidence of improving forest connectivity and the tiger's natural instinct to seek new territories, mates and prey-rich areas. The incident adds to recent examples of tiger dispersal across India, where big cats have been recorded covering vast distances in search of suitable habitats.

(ANI)