Patna/Valmikinagar: A tigress from the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) has been relocated to the Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal, marking the first reported transfer of a tiger from Bihar to a tiger reserve in another state for conservation purposes.
The tigress was transported from Gorakhpur Airport to Buxa on a special Indian Air Force aircraft after being tranquilised and fitted with a radio collar at VTR.
15-Hour Relocation Operation
The tigress was successfully tranquilised and radio-collared at VTR at around 5pm on September 29.
After the required veterinary and wildlife management procedures were completed, she was transported by road to Gorakhpur Airport. From there, she was flown to Buxa Tiger Reserve in a special Indian Air Force aircraft.
The tigress reached the designated soft-release enclosure at Buxa at around 8am on September 30, completing the relocation process in approximately 15 hours.
Tigress Under Observation At Buxa
The tigress is currently being kept in a specially prepared enclosure at Buxa Tiger Reserve.
Forest officials and wildlife experts are monitoring her health, behaviour and adaptation to the new environment.
According to the plan, she is scheduled to be released from the enclosure into the larger forest area on October 2.
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Bihar, Bengal Departments Coordinate Operation
The relocation was carried out through coordination between the Forest Departments of Bihar and West Bengal, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the Indian Air Force.
Wildlife experts, veterinarians, forest officials and field staff from both states were involved in the operation.
The process included capturing the tigress safely, fitting her with a radio collar, transporting her to Gorakhpur by road and flying her to Buxa before moving her into the soft-release enclosure.
The operation was conducted following wildlife management and veterinary protocols, according to the information provided by the authorities.
First Tiger Transfer From Bihar To Another State
The relocation marks a significant development in Bihar’s tiger conservation efforts, with VTR contributing a tiger to another state’s conservation programme for the first time.
Valmiki Tiger Reserve forms part of the Terai forest landscape and is a key centre for tiger conservation in Bihar.
The transfer also highlights coordination between the two state forest departments and national wildlife institutions for tiger conservation and management.
The relocation is being described as an example of inter-state cooperation and scientific wildlife management, while also reflecting Bihar’s expanding role in broader tiger conservation efforts.
