A tigress is slated to be released in the Buxa Tiger Reserve on Oct 2
Kolkata: At least a dozen tigresses at Bihar’s Valmiki Tiger Reserve have been shortlisted for possible translocation to Bengal’s Buxa Tiger Reserve, with the final selection process set to begin 15 days before the proposed Oct 2 release date, National Tiger Conservation Authority officials said.
The Bihar forest department, along with a Wildlife Institute of India team, has already completed a preliminary survey and shortlisted 10-12 tigresses.
NTCA member secretary Sanjay Kumar Pathak said the final selection would be based on several ecological, behavioural and health-related parameters. “Dispersing young adults, territorial status, conflict history, hunting instinct and physical condition will be among the criteria considered before zeroing in on the tigress,” he said. “Bengal has not yet submitted a proposal seeking the second instalment,” Pathak said, adding that proposals from at least 10 other states have already reached the authority.
One will eventually be selected, captured and brought to Buxa for release.