Jaipur: A male tiger, T-2408, was Friday relocated from Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve (RTR) to Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve (MHTR) in Kota under the approved tiger translocation programme, after clearance from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).The operation was carried out in the early hours of the day following standard operating procedures. A joint team of veterinarians from Ranthambhore and Mukundra Hills safely tranquilised the tiger inside RTR. After sedation, the animal was fitted with a radio collar, underwent a detailed health examination, and its physical parameters were recorded. Biological samples were also collected as part of routine monitoring protocols.Sugna Ram Jat, Kota MHTR field director said, “After the tiger was fully revived and stabilised, it was transported under secure conditions to Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve.”On arrival, T-2408 was placed in the soft-release enclosure at MHTR, where it will remain under continuous observation. Forest officials said the tiger’s health and movements will be closely monitored during the acclimatisation phase, following which it will be released into the wild after a satisfactory assessment.Officials said the relocated tiger is about four years old. The move is aimed at strengthening the tiger population in Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve and supporting the state’s long-term conservation and landscape-level management objectives.Jat added, “The tiger has been released in the Darrah range. With this, there are now a total of six tigers in MHTR across the Darrah and Seljar ranges three females, two males, and one cub.”Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla extended greetings to the people of Kota and the Hadauti region on the successful relocation of tiger T-2408 from Ranthambore to Mukundara Tiger Reserve, highlighting it as a crucial advancement in biodiversity conservation and wildlife protection. He emphasised that the collaborative initiatives in the Mukundara Hills and Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserves will position the Kota-Bundi area as a significant hub for tiger conservation. This increase in the tiger population is expected to boost eco-tourism and generate employment opportunities for local youth, making Hadauti a model of harmony between nature and development.The translocation was executed by a coordinated team comprising the field director and deputy field director of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, the deputy field director of Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve, the deputy field director and deputy conservator of forests of Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve, along with wildlife veterinarians, biologists and field staff. The entire operation was supervised by the Chief Wildlife Warden of Rajasthan.
