The success of the tiger reintroduction project at Panna Tiger Reserve was recently underscored by the birth of four cubs to tigress P-141. The 10-year-old tigress was recently spotted along with her four cubs, estimated to be around four months old, confidently wandering through the reserve. Successful tiger reintroduction project attributed to T-1 tigress whose first litter P-141 tigress gave birth to 4 cubs after her 6 cubs in 3 previous litters. This success story is attributed to the T-1 tigress who played a vital role in the project’s achievements. P-141 is first litter of T-1 tigress, who was translocated from Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve as part of the reintroduction project. T-1 tigress gave birth to 13 cubs in five litters over the years, including six cubs in her last three litters in February 2012.

 

Anjana Suchita Tirkey (IFS), Field Director of Panna Tiger Reserve, while talking to ‘The Hitavada’, confirmed the sighting of P-141 and her cubs, stating that the forest teams are closely monitoring the movements of the tigress and her cubs to ensure their safety. The tiger reintroduction project was launched in the year 2009 after poaching had vanished the tiger population in Panna Tiger Reserve. The initiative began with the reintroduction of three tigers including T-1 playing a crucial role in its success. Her efforts have helped establish a thriving tiger population in the reserve which is now upto 70 in previous tiger census 2023-24, recognised as one of the leading examples of effective tiger management. In 2012, the project received the ‘Award of Excellence’ in the Active Management Category from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).