Bhubaneswar, Oct 29: The Odisha government plans to introduce five additional female tigers into the Similipal Tiger Reserve to bolster the tiger population, Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia announced on Tuesday.

At present, the reserve hosts 40 tigers, and the government aims to promote healthy breeding and increase their numbers through the planned introduction of tigresses.

Just two days ago, a Royal Bengal tigress named ‘Yamuna,’ transported from Maharashtra, was successfully released into Similipal as part of this effort.

The Chief Conservator of Forests highlighted that this initiative addresses the challenges of breeding management. Since 2014, the presence of only one dominant male tiger in Similipal has caused irregular breeding patterns, including the appearance of melanistic tigers, which are characterized by their darker coats.

The government’s intervention aims to improve genetic diversity and ensure a balanced tiger population within the reserve, reinforcing Odisha’s commitment to wildlife conservation.

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