The release of a healthy tigress in the Seljar range of the Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve (MHTR) in Rajasthan has been confirmed by senior wildlife officials. The eight-year-old tigress, codenamed MT-4, was released into the wild after recuperating from an injury sustained in September 2020. The decision to release the tigress has been criticized by former chief minister Vasundhara Raje, who had previously decided to release tigers in the Darrah range of the MHTR during her tenure in 2018.
Field director of the MHTR, Sedu Ram Yadav, stated that the tigress has made three kills since being released and is being monitored around the clock. The department is also increasing the prey base in the Seljar range on the recommendation of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to 500 chittal, with 150 being brought from the Ghana Bird Sanctuary and another 100 expected to arrive soon.
The decision to release the tigress in Seljar rather than Darrah has been defended by a senior forest official who stated that leaving one, all the big cats that were released in Darrah earlier are either dead or missing. The official also stated that tigers cannot be kept in enclosures or zoos for security reasons and are free to move wherever they are released.
In February, the NTCA’s technical committee approved a plan to relocate tigers to the MHTR and came up with a set of recommendations to strengthen the habitat for the tigers late last year.
While the decision to release the tigress in Seljar has been questioned by Raje, the success of the tigress thus far is a positive sign for the MHTR and for the preservation of the tiger population in India. The increase in the prey base and recommendations from the NTCA could further bolster the population and ensure the continued existence of the majestic animal in the wild.