In a significant boost for tiger conservation in Rajasthan, a male tiger identified as T-2408 was successfully translocated from the famed Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve (RTR) to the Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve (MHTR) in Kota on Friday. The operation, conducted under the approved national tiger translocation programme, received the necessary clearance from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Operation Dawn: A Precise Translocation
The relocation was executed in the early morning hours, adhering strictly to standard operating procedures. A joint team of wildlife veterinarians from both reserves safely tranquilised the tiger within Ranthambhore. Following sedation, the big cat was fitted with a radio collar for future tracking and underwent a thorough health examination. Officials recorded all vital physical parameters and collected biological samples as part of routine monitoring protocols.
Sugna Ram Jat, the Field Director of Kota's Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve, stated that after the tiger was fully revived and stabilised, it was transported under high-security conditions to its new home. "The tiger has been released in the Darrah range," Jat confirmed. With this addition, the total tiger count in MHTR now stands at six, distributed across the Darrah and Seljar ranges, comprising three females, two males, and one cub.
Acclimatisation and Long-Term Goals
Upon arrival at Mukundra Hills, T-2408 was placed in a designated soft-release enclosure. Forest officials confirmed that the tiger, which is approximately four years old, will remain under continuous observation. Its health and movements will be closely monitored during the critical acclimatisation phase. Only after a satisfactory assessment will the tiger be released into the wider wilderness of the reserve.
The translocation is a strategic move aimed at strengthening the tiger population in Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve and supporting Rajasthan's broader, long-term conservation and landscape-level management objectives for the species.
A Boost for Conservation and Community
The successful operation has drawn commendation from high offices. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla extended his greetings to the people of Kota and the Hadauti region. He highlighted the relocation as a crucial step forward in biodiversity conservation and wildlife protection. Birla emphasised that collaborative initiatives in the Mukundra Hills and Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserves are poised to make the Kota-Bundi area a significant hub for tiger conservation in India.
This increase in the tiger population is also expected to have positive socio-economic ripple effects. It is anticipated to boost eco-tourism in the region and generate new employment opportunities for local youth, presenting Hadauti as a potential model for harmony between nature and development.
The complex translocation was a coordinated effort involving senior officials from multiple reserves. The team included the field director and deputy field director of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, the deputy field director of Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve, and the deputy field director and deputy conservator of forests of Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve. They were supported by wildlife veterinarians, biologists, and field staff, with the entire operation being supervised by the Chief Wildlife Warden of Rajasthan.
