Tigress airlifted from MP to Rajasthan:Arrives in Jaipur by Army helicopter, set to improve tiger genetics and strengthen wildlife conservation efforts

For the first time, a tigress has been brought from Madhya Pradesh’s Pench Tiger Reserve to Rajasthan to improve the genetic diversity of the tiger population. On Sunday at 10:30 PM, an Army MI-17 helicopter landed at Jaipur Airport carrying the three-year-old tigress, identified as PN-224. From Jaipur, the tigress was transported by road to the Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve in Bundi. Wildlife experts have described this as the first-ever inter-state aerial transfer of a tigress, calling it a significant milestone in wildlife conservation. The helicopter journey lasted approximately two and a half hours. Search and Tranquillisation in Pench Tiger Reserve On Sunday morning, the forest department team began searching for the tigress inside the Pench Tiger Reserve. She was eventually located resting under dense trees. A veterinary doctor successfully tranquillised her. During the medical examination, her body temperature, heartbeat and respiration rate were found to be normal. After a procedure lasting about one hour, the tigress was airlifted at 4:55 PM. For security reasons, she was brought directly to Jaipur instead of Bundi. She will now be housed in the Bajalia enclosure at Ramgarh Vishdhari Sanctuary. Earlier plan was to shift the Tigress on December 10 Preparations for the translocation had been underway for several weeks. CCF Suganaram Jat and Dr Tejendra Riyad from Kota reached Pench on November 25. The tigress was tranquillised on December 5. As per the original plan, she was to be shifted to Ramgarh on December 10. However, on December 6, her radio collar broke. Due to this technical issue, the entire process came to a halt, causing repeated delays in the translocation. Plan changed after Air Force Refusal Initially, the proposal was to transport the tigress directly from Pench to Ramgarh Tiger Reserve. A helipad was prepared in Ramgarh, and helicopter trials were conducted for two days in Bundi. However, when permission was sought from the Air Force to tranquillise the tigress and fly her to Bundi, it was denied on security grounds. It is being stated that the security personnel present during the trial phase were different from those later deployed in Pench, and the helicopter was also different. Due to the perceived risk, the authorities were forced to alter the entire plan. See PHOTOS related to the tigress’s relocation…. Inbreeding in tigers, or any species, refers to breeding among close relatives. When the population of tigers in a particular area becomes very small, the remaining animals are often closely related. Risks of disease and weakness in future generations Gene-related problems: Inbreeding leads to the repetition of defective genes. This can result in congenital disorders in offspring, including heart disease, kidney or bone defects, and weakness in the spine and legs. Reduced immunity: The ability of tigers to fight diseases declines. They become more vulnerable to infections, parasites and viruses. Decline in reproductive capacity: There may be difficulties in conception among tigresses, death of cubs at birth, and a lower survival rate of offspring. Physical weaknesses: Inbred tigers may show stunted growth, lethargy, abnormal behaviour and reduced hunting ability.