The Return of Zeenat: A Tigress's Journey Back Home

Tigress Zeenat, who had been causing fear among the villagers in Jharkhand and West Bengal, is returning to the Similipal Reserve Forest in Odisha after a month-long journey. Captured in West Bengal, Zeenat is being transported back for reintegration into her original habitat.

After a harrowing journey terrorizing villagers across Jharkhand and West Bengal, the tigress known as Zeenat is finally on her way back to Similipal Reserve Forest in Odisha, her original home, officials confirmed Tuesday night.

The repatriation process has begun, and she is expected to reach Similipal by nightfall, Prem Kumar Jha, Odisha's Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, told PTI. Initially, Zeenat will be placed in a natural enclosure for observation.

Brought to Similipal to enhance genetic diversity, Zeenat traveled over 200 km in search of new territory. Captured in West Bengal's Bankura, she was taken to Kolkata's Alipore Zoo for health monitoring before her journey back, monitored by state and national wildlife authorities.

(With inputs from agencies.)