Deputy director of Similipal South Samrat Gouda said it is quite natural for the big cats of Similipal to use the Similipal-Hadgarh-Kuldiha corridor that was declared as a conservation reserve last year.Jamuna, after its release into the core of Similipal south, has roamed for over 300 km in the tiger habitat and has also ventured close to Kuldiha sanctuary multiple times, Gouda said.“The tigress is still exploring its new habitat and has covered the entire Similipal three to four times looking for a suitable site to establish its territory,” he said.Gouda said their team along with forest officials of Balasore Wildlife Division are closely monitoring the movement of the big cat. “We are hopeful that it will establish its territory in the Similipal landscape soon,” he said.Jamuna was the first tigress translocated to STR on October 28 to supplement the existing big cat population of the tiger reserve and bring diversity to their gene pool. It was released into the core area on November 9. Gouda said the behaviour of the 31-month-old tigress has been absolutely normal and it is in good health.Meanwhile, STR officials said their team is still camping in Jharkhand helping the the wildlife officials of the neighbouring state in tracking the movement of the tigress. The tigress is still in the same forest block of Jharkhand where it had moved on December 9, forest officials said.
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