Third tigress relocated to Sahyadri reserve

Kolhapur: Following the successful translocation of tigresses T20-S2 (Chanda) and T7-S2 (Tara) from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve into the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Nov and Dec 2025, another tigress — PTR-123, also called ‘Lado' — from the Pench Tiger Reserve was released in the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary region of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve on Saturday.The tigress, upon arriving in Sahyadri, was given the official number STR-06, and the guides in Sahyadri named her ‘Hirkani'.Field director for Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, Tushar Chavan, said, "This third tigress release in STR marks a new era for Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary. As there were no females for the existing male tiger in STR, we released a new female into his territory. This will ensure continuity and support the tourism aspects of STR."The tigress PTR-123 was captured on Feb 5, at 5pm, from the Nagalwadi forest range of the Pench Tiger Reserve. After the necessary documentation and a medical check-up, she was transported to the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, travelling over 900km. Upon arrival in STR on Friday night, she was taken to the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary within the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve by boat.She was examined by veterinary officers and given water and mutton to eat, which she consumed. On Saturday, at 6am, the tigress was released into a safe location in the core forest area of the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary.The project Operation TARA (Tiger Augmentation and Range Expansion) is part of the plan for the revival of the tiger population and genetic diversity in the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, the lone tiger reserve in the western part of Maharashtra. It is spread across Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, and Ratnagiri districts, over an area of 1165 sq km.2 leopard cubs rescuedThe Kolhapur forest department rescued two leopard cubs that fell into a well in Jakhale village in Panhala tehsil in Kolhapur district after two-and-a-half hours of efforts, officials said. The incident took place on Friday night. The cubs are approximately 8 to 9 months old, according to forest department officials. Efforts will be made by the forest department to reunite these cubs with their mother on Saturday night, a forest official said.