NAHAN : After a wait of nearly 12 years, the roar of the “King of the Jungle” is set to echo once again at the Mini Zoo in Shri Renukaji. A pair of Royal Bengal Tigers from Gorewada in Nagpur, Maharashtra, has safely arrived at Shri Renukaji after an approximately 41-hour-long journey under full escort. The pair comprises a five-year-old male tiger and a female tiger aged about two-and-a-half to three years. A Wildlife Department team maintained round-the-clock monitoring of both Bengal tigers’ safety and health throughout the journey from Nagpur to Shri Renukaji.
With the arrival of this Royal Bengal tiger pair at Shri Renukaji, the long-pending effort to bring tigers to the zoo has finally materialised. An ultra-modern enclosure has been prepared for the tigers at a cost of approximately Rs 1.68 crore. Both tigers were brought here from Nagpur after fulfilling the prescribed standards and necessary formalities of the Central Zoo Authority. Himachal will now become the permanent home for these Bengal tigers.
Team Stayed With Tigers Throughout Journey from Nagpur
The tigers were brought from Gorewada in Nagpur to Shri Renukaji by road. Throughout this long journey, the Wildlife Department team remained with both tigers continuously. The team escorted them along the entire route and took special care of their health, food, water, and rest.
Wildlife DFO Dr. Shahnawaz himself travelled with the team to Nagpur and returned to Shri Renukaji with the tigers. An eight-member team, including veterinarian Dr. Kartik, animal handlers, and field staff, accompanied him. During the journey, rest was provided as needed at intervals of every two to three hours. Along with providing water to the tigers, special attention was paid to cleanliness of the vehicles and their surroundings. Keeping the hot weather in mind, they were also given cooling with water when required.
Effort Underway for 10–12 Years
The process of bringing Royal Bengal Tigers to Shri Renukaji Zoo had been ongoing for approximately the past 10 to 12 years. Bringing the tigers here required fulfilling various formalities related to the Maharashtra and Central Governments, in addition to approvals from the Central Zoo Authority. Over the past one to two years, the Wildlife Department expedited this process.
After sustained efforts by Wildlife Chief Conservator Preeti Bhandari, Wildlife DFO Dr. Shahnawaz, and their team, this wait has now ended. The enclosure prepared for the tigers has also been developed in accordance with the standards prescribed by the Central Zoo Authority.
Enclosure for ‘King and Queen’ Built at Rs 1.68 Crore
An enclosure has been prepared at Shri Renukaji Zoo for this Royal Bengal tiger pair at a cost of approximately Rs 1.68 crore. It has been developed keeping in mind the tigers’ safety and their natural requirements. This enclosure is now set to become one of the zoo’s major attractions.
Regular arrangements for carnivorous feed will be made for both tigers. Their diet and health will be regularly monitored. Both will be kept under constant observation by a veterinarian.
New Attraction for Wildlife Tourism
The arrival of the Royal Bengal tiger pair is expected to give a new attraction to wildlife tourism at Shri Renukaji. The Renukaji lake and surrounding area is already important for its natural beauty and biodiversity. The area also remains a centre of attraction for wildlife and nature lovers due to migratory birds.
Now, with the presence of Royal Bengal Tigers in the zoo, a new attraction has been added for tourists, wildlife enthusiasts, researchers, and photographers. This is likely to further strengthen Shri Renukaji’s tourism identity.
Team Elated After a Decade-Long Effort
For the team that safely transported both tigers from Nagpur to Shri Renukaji, this was not merely a translocation operation. During the journey, the team remained constantly alert regarding the tigers’ safety and health. After a process spanning more than a decade, the arrival of the tiger pair at the zoo has generated considerable enthusiasm among Wildlife Department officials and staff.
DFO Dr. Shahnawaz Confirms
Wildlife DFO Dr. Shahnawaz has confirmed the arrival of the Royal Bengal tiger pair at Shri Renukaji. He stated that the Bengal tigers safely reached the zoo at around 12:30 pm on Sunday and that proper arrangements for their care have been made. He stated that he departed from Gorewada for Himachal at 7:00 pm on September 18 with the Bengal tigers. No compromise was made in the care and comfort of the “King and Queen” throughout the journey. He said that the arrival of the Royal Bengal tiger pair will enhance the splendour of Shri Renukaji Zoo and has added a new attraction for wildlife enthusiasts.
