A tigress T138, born at Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in 2023, has been brought from Bihar to West Bengal’s Buxa Tiger Reserve in Alipurduar district as part of efforts to strengthen the tiger population in the reserve. The adult tigress arrived in West Bengal on Wednesday and is scheduled to be released into the wild on October 2, Forest Minister Manoj Oraon said.
The animal was translocated from Bihar’s Valmiki Tiger Reserve in West Champaran district to Buxa as part of a long-term tiger augmentation programme. Buxa currently does not have a resident tiger population, although camera traps have recorded the presence of a big cat in the reserve.
After landing at Hasimara at 4:45 AM in an MI-17 helicopter, the tigress arrived at Rajabhatkhawa in Buxa Tiger Reserve at 6:45 AM from Bihar’s Valmiki Tiger Reserve. The tigress will return to the wild on October 2. 🐅🌿 pic.twitter.com/FHOISmu075
— Abir Ghoshal (@abirghoshal) September 30, 2026
Tigress Arrives in Buxa Tiger Reserve
The tigress was flown to Hasimara airbase after being captured at Valmiki Tiger Reserve following several days of efforts by forest officials. From the airbase, the animal was transported by road to a designated enclosure inside Buxa Tiger Reserve.
Officials arranged a green corridor for the movement of the tigress to ensure a smooth transfer to the enclosure.
The capture operation in Bihar had faced repeated interruptions because of heavy rainfall. Forest personnel eventually tranquilised the tigress on Tuesday evening before transporting it to north Bengal.
Forest Minister Manoj Oraon visited Buxa Tiger Reserve on Wednesday to assess the arrangements ahead of the release. He also held discussions with Forest Department officials, police personnel and representatives of other agencies involved in the operation.
“The tigress will be released into the wild at 9.30 am on October 2. All preparations have been made,” Oraon told PTI.
Tigress To Be Released Into Wild on October 2
The tigress is currently being kept under close observation inside the reserve. According to Oraon, the animal is healthy and is being monitored around the clock.
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A radio collar has been fitted to the tigress to track its movements once it is released into the forest. Officials will use the monitoring system to keep track of the animal and reduce the chances of it moving towards areas inhabited by people.
“Arrangements have been made to keep a tab on the tigress’s movements so that it does not venture towards human habitations,” Oraon said.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav are scheduled to attend the release event, according to Oraon.
Buxa Tiger Reserve Tiger Augmentation Project
The translocation forms part of a five-year project titled ‘Proposal for Tiger Augmentation and Soft Release of Tiger in Buxa Tiger Reserve’. The programme covers the financial years from 2023-24 to 2027-28.
The project is aimed at more than simply bringing tigers into Buxa. Officials said the plan also focuses on improving prey availability and developing suitable habitats within the reserve.
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Strengthening wildlife corridors and reducing human-wildlife conflict are also among the objectives of the programme.
Buxa’s camera traps have previously detected a big cat, though experts believe that animal may have entered the reserve after wandering from Bhutan or Assam’s Manas National Park.
The arrival of the tigress from Valmiki Tiger Reserve marks another step in the planned effort to establish and strengthen a tiger population in Buxa. Its movements will be closely monitored after the October 2 release as forest officials continue preparations to support the animal in its new habitat.