Hello, world! My name is Zeenat and I am a stripingly pretty three-year-old tigress (think of me as wild feline equivalent of an 18-year-old human). I was born in Tadoba-Andheri Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra. But life has bigger plans for me. They told me I am to be a pioneer, a bringer of fresh genes to Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha, a role meant to strengthen the tiger lineage. I was brought to Similipal on Nov 14, and I spent 10 days in a soft enclosure.
Nov 24: The gates to my new wild home are finally opened at Chahala. Sure, the humans have their reasons for releasing me into the wild, hoping I will breed a strong generation of tigers. But honestly? I am not interested in playing the part yet. I slip through a gap in the fence and, just like that, I am off.
Dec 9: Something in me purrs, "Go further." I listen. With moonlight as my guide, I cross over from Similipal into Jharkhand overnight, fording the Subarnarekha. When the sun rises, the humans seem puzzled. They track me through that little gadget they put around my neck - a radio collar - and realise I am no longer in Odisha. I wander 5km into Jharkhand's Chaibasa. It is not a difficult journey.
Dec 10: The humans are nervous and track me with their devices, making sure they know exactly where I am. They send out alerts to authorities in Bengal, just in case I decide to make a run for it into their forests. They also reach out to Jharkhand's authorities. I hear their whispers in the wind, their worry travelling faster than my paws. But I am not interested in returning to Similipal. Not yet. For now, I stay put in Jharkhand.
Dec 11: Oh, they're getting serious. The humans want to tranquillize me and bring me back to Similipal. A whole team armed with darts is sent to keep an eye on me. The idea of being knocked out doesn't sound appealing. I keep moving, covering distances at night, always staying a few steps ahead.
Dec 15: I stay put for a bit in Rajabasa of Chakulia range (in Jharkhand). I take down some prey and need a rest. The humans monitor me closely, following every signal from my collar. They are relieved I haven't gone closer to villages or gotten too curious about human settlements.
Dec 17: I start heading south, inching closer to Odisha. Kumki elephants are brought in, and the humans hope they will help guide me back. As if I am going to let them herd me like cattle. I am not playing along. I retreat deeper into the forests of Chakulia range. I become a shadow.
Dec 18: The humans seem unsure whether to tranquillize me. I overhear them saying I am weak and haven't eaten since Saturday (Dec 14). Weak? Me? I smile inwardly at the irony. Tigers like me thrive on resilience. They hope to catch me in one of their darting operations, but every move they make, I counter with stealth.
Dec 20: Surprise! I have crossed into Bengal's Jhargram forest. The humans are on edge. They are worried I might stray too close to densely populated areas. I am not planning to cause trouble. So, I move quietly, avoiding people and their villages. The landscape here is more challenging, more rugged, and I am loving it. I move swiftly.
Dec 21: Belpahari range in Jhargram, a pit stop. The radio collar's signals are patchy, and I sense the humans' frustration. They can't seem to figure out where I will pop up next. The forests here are different, the prey scarce, and the human presence palpable. I don't linger.
Dec 22: Here I am, deep in Purulia district's Bandwan, 50km from where I was last spotted. The humans are trying to get a lock on my position through the collar, but it is not easy when the land is tricky. I am careful, staying away from villages and focusing on wildlife around me. Will I return to Similipal? Perhaps. But for now, my adventure continues.