Baripada: The Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district has received encouraging news with tigress Jinnat giving birth to four cubs on May 28.

Forest Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia expressed happiness over the development and said both the mother and her cubs are healthy. The newborn cubs are still very young, and their eyes have not yet opened. Forest officials are hopeful that the cubs will gradually adapt to Similipal’s ecosystem and biodiversity in the coming days, the minister said.

According to the minister, Similipal Tiger Reserve currently has around 40 tigers. With the addition of the four cubs, the tiger population in the reserve has received a fresh boost.

Jinnat’s motherhood came months after she was released into the wild and was later seen roaming with tiger 'T-12'.

A photograph of Jinnat carrying one of her cubs in her mouth has also emerged, drawing attention from wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists.

Notably, Jinnat was translocated from Maharashtra's Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in November 2024.