Hello, world! My identify is Zeenat and I’m a strippingly fairly three-12 months-previous tigress (assume of me as wild feline equal of an 18-12 months-previous human). I used to be born in Tadoba-Andheri Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra. But life has greater plans for me. They informed me I’m to be a pioneer, a bringer of contemporary genes to Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha, a job meant to strengthen the tiger lineage. I used to be delivered to Similipal on Nov 14, and I spent 10 days in a delicate enclosure.
Nov 24: The gates to my new wild house are lastly opened at Chahala. Sure, the people have their causes for releasing me into the wild, hoping I’ll breed a robust era of tigers. But actually? I’m not serious about enjoying the half but. I slip via a niche within the fence and, identical to that, I’m off.
Dec 9: Something in me purrs, “Go further.” I hear. With moonlight as my information, I crossed over from Similipal into Jharkhand in a single day, fording the Subarnarekha. When the solar rises, the people appear puzzled. They observe me via that little gadget they put round my neck – a radio collar – and notice I’m now not in Odisha. I wander 5km into Jharkhand’s Chaibasa. It shouldn’t be a troublesome journey.
Dec 10: The people are nervous and observe me with their gadgets, ensuring they know precisely the place I’m. They ship out alerts to authorities in Bengal, simply in case I resolve to make a run for it into their forests. They additionally attain out to Jharkhand’s authorities. I hear their whispers within the wind, their fear touring quicker than my paws. But I’m not serious about returning to Similipal. Not but. For now, I keep put in Jharkhand.
Dec 11: Oh, they’re getting critical. The people wish to tranquillize me and convey me again to Similipal. A complete group armed with darts is distributed to regulate me. The concept of being knocked out would not sound interesting. I maintain transferring, masking distances at night time, at all times staying a number of steps forward.
Dec 15: I keep put for a bit in Rajabasa of Chakulia vary (in Jharkhand). I take down some prey and want a relaxation. The people monitor me carefully, following each sign from my collar. They are relieved I have not gone nearer to villages or gotten too inquisitive about human settlements.
Dec 17: I begin heading south, inching nearer to Odisha. Kumki elephants are introduced in, and the people hope they’ll assist information me again. As if I’m going to allow them to herd me like cattle. I’m not enjoying alongside. I retreat deeper into the forests of Chakulia vary. I change into a shadow.
Dec 18: The people appear not sure whether or not to tranquillize me. I overhear them saying I’m weak and have not eaten since Saturday (Dec 14). Weak? Me? I smile inwardly on the irony. Tigers like me thrive on resilience. They hope to catch me in a single of their darting operations, however each transfer they make, I counter with stealth.
Dec 20: Surprise! I’ve crossed into Bengal’s Jhargram forest. The people are on edge. They are fearful I’d stray too near densely populated areas. I’m not planning to trigger bother. So, I transfer quietly, avoiding individuals and their villages. The panorama right here is more difficult, extra rugged, and I’m loving it. I transfer swiftly.
Dec 21: Belpahari vary in Jhargram, a pit cease. The radio collar’s indicators are patchy, and I sense the people’ frustration. They cannot appear to determine the place I’ll pop up subsequent. The forests listed below are completely different, the prey scarce, and the human presence palpable. I do not linger.
Dec 22: Here I’m, deep in Purulia district’s Bandwan, 50km from the place I used to be final noticed. The people are attempting to get a lock on my place via the collar, however it’s not simple when the land is hard. I’m cautious, staying away from villages and specializing in wildlife round me. Will I return to Similipal? Perhaps. But for now, my adventure continues.
