Umaria/Bhopal: A young tigress from Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, located in Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh, has been relocated to Bhopal’s Van Vihar National Park after she killed a child and failed to hunt wild prey while kept under observation for three months.
The dramatic transfer happened late on the night of August 4, with the tigress being transported over 500 kilometers under heavy supervision. She arrived at Van Vihar around 12:45 AM on August 5, where she is now being held in a secure enclosure.
Why the Tigress Was Shifted
According to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve Director Anupam Sahay, the tigress had attacked and killed a child a few months ago when the child entered the forest area to pluck tendu leaves. Following the incident, she was rescued and kept in the Baherha enclosure within the reserve for close monitoring.
“Initially, we were unsure if she was only targeting domestic cattle or also hunting wild animals,” Sahay explained. “But during the three months of captivity, she did not hunt any wild prey, which raised serious concerns about her behavior.”
Due to the dense human settlements around Bandhavgarh, the risk of future human-wildlife conflict was deemed too high if she were released back into the wild.
Young, Calm – But Potentially Dangerous
Officials confirmed the tigress is around two to three years old and generally calm, but her past behavior makes her unpredictable. “We cannot risk releasing her near villages. A repeat incident could endanger lives and fuel negative sentiments towards wildlife conservation,” an official added.
At Van Vihar, she will be under continuous observation, and the Forest Department Headquarters will decide her long-term future — whether she remains in captivity or is moved to another secure location. Van Vihar offers better enclosure facilities and safety protocols for monitoring such high-risk animals.
Bandhavgarh’s Growing Tiger Population
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is known for its high tiger density and increasing tiger population, which, while a conservation success, also brings challenges in managing human-tiger conflicts, especially in buffer zones where forest meets farmland.
