How Will Sahyadri Tiger Reserve Transform After Tadoba’s Second Female Tigress T7-S2 Arrives?

A second female tigress from Tadoba has entered Chandoli under Operation TARA, marking another strong step in boosting Sahyadri’s shrinking tiger population and strengthening long-term conservation plans

Chandoli | December 10, 2025:The Maharashtra Forest Department has completed the soft release of T7-S2, a two-year-old female tigress translocated from Tadoba–Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), into the Sonarli acclimatisation enclosure at Chandoli National Park. The release is a key step under Operation TARA, the state’s initiative to revive tiger presence in the Sahyadri landscape.

Dr. Prabhunath Shukla, IFS, Field Director, TATR, noted the importance of this move, saying:
“Tigress T7-S2 is a young dispersing female from the Korala Core Range, Pandharpauni area of Tadoba. She is healthy, strong and behaviourally suited for translocation. Being the second female relocated under Operation TARA, her movement contributes meaningfully to strengthening tiger presence in the Sahyadri landscape.”

The tigress was captured on December 8 from Tadoba’s Korala Core Range and thoroughly examined by Dr. Ravikant Khobragade, Veterinary Officer (Wildlife) and Head of the Rapid Rescue Team. He confirmed that the tigress is in excellent physical health and fit for relocation.

Soft release is designed to help the animal gradually adjust to the new terrain, climate and prey base inside a protected enclosure before entering the open forest. This method reduces stress and increases the chances of long-term settlement.

Sharing an update on the readiness of Sahyadri for the new arrival,
Shri Tushar Chavan, IFS, Field Director, Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, said:
“The soft release of the second female tigress from Tadoba T7-S2 under Operation TARA is an important step in Sahyadri’s tiger recovery mission. The tigress is in excellent health, and Chandoli provides a secure habitat with sufficient prey base. Our frontline teams and scientific partners are fully prepared for her close observation and protection.”

The release is being monitored closely by experts from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), including Senior Scientist Dr. K. Ramesh and Field Biologist Akash Patil. They are documenting the tigress’s behaviour, movement patterns and acclimatisation response.

At the national level, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is supervising the process through Assistant Inspector General (Project Tiger) Dr. Nandkishor Kale and officer Rohan Bhate.The coordinated ground operation involved Tadoba’s Rapid Rescue Team, frontline staff of the Korala Core Range and field teams from both Tadoba and Sahyadri. The entire relocation and soft-release process is being executed under the guidance of Dr. Jitendra Ramgaokar, CCF Wildlife, Mumbai.

Highlighting the significance of the joint effort,
Shri M. Srinivas Reddy, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) & Chief Wildlife Warden, Maharashtra, stated:
“The coordinated conservation efforts of Tadoba–Andhari Tiger Reserve and Sahyadri Tiger Reserve under Operation TARA are strengthening Maharashtra’s tiger recovery mission. The successful introduction of the second female tigress reflects the dedication and professionalism of our field teams.”

With the tigress now settling in the Sonarli enclosure, officials believe her presence will contribute meaningfully to increasing tiger density and restoring ecological balance across the Sahyadri landscape.

Follow us On Our Social media Handles :
Instagram
Youtube
Facebook
Twitter

Also Read- Pune