Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Forest and Wildlife Department has initiated preparations for the second phase of tiger translocation to Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR), with a proposal to bring a male and a female tiger to strengthen the genetic diversity of the reserve’s tiger population.

According to official sources, the state government has sought approval from the Centre for translocating the two tigers from a tiger reserve in either Maharashtra or Madhya Pradesh. The proposal is currently at a preliminary stage and is yet to receive final approval.

Report said that the proposal would be examined from various aspects before a final decision is taken at the highest level.

The proposed translocation is aimed at widening the gene pool of tigers in Similipal and strengthening long-term conservation and breeding efforts in the reserve.

The move follows the successful translocation of two tigresses, Zeenat and Jamuna, from Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) to Similipal in 2024. The two big cats were brought to Odisha as part of a planned effort to introduce genetic diversity into the Similipal tiger population.

The second phase, if approved, would involve bringing one male and one female tiger from Central India, potentially further strengthening the genetic base of the reserve’s tiger population.

Similipal, located in Mayurbhanj district, is among India’s important tiger habitats and is known for its unique melanistic or pseudo-melanistic tigers. Maintaining genetic diversity is considered crucial for the long-term health, reproductive success and resilience of isolated wildlife populations.

The proposed translocation would therefore mark another significant step in Odisha’s efforts to strengthen tiger conservation and ensure the long-term sustainability of the tiger population in Similipal.