Tiger returns to Sariska

Jaipur, Jun 28 (UNI) The royal Bengal tiger today made its majestic return to its old home at Sariska sanctuary in Alwar district after a gap of about four years.

An Indian Air Force helicopter brought the Jungle King--a 4-year old male tiger--from Ranthambhore Tiger sanctuary in Sawai Madhopur district around 1230 hrs this afternoon, a Wildlife department Spokesman told UNI over telephone.

The animal which came out of the effect of the tranquiliser while its cage was being unloaded from the helicopter, jumped into the special enclosure in the Nayapani area of Sariska sanctuary, he said.

The mission was achieved in the planned manner, he added.

The mission performed jointly by the National Tiger Conservation Authority of India, Wildlife Institute of India and the Rajasthan Wildlife Department was first of its kind in the post Independence India and aimed at re-habilitation of tigers in the sanctuary from where they disappeared in mysterious circumstances, sometime in 2004.

Since then, there was no tiger in the sanctuary.

After much hue and cry and debates, the wildlife experts and officials have decided to re-introduce tigers in this sanctuary by bringing from nearby Ranthambhore sanctuary.

Initially two to three big cats, are proposed to be air lifted in a phased manner.

UNI SS ARB HT1552