The first tiger brought to Sariska released in the wilds

{image-tiger sariska_06072008.jpg news.oneindia.in}New Delhi, Jul 6: The tiger relocated to Sariska forests from Ranthambhore Reserve on June 28 was released to the wilds today as it got another companion airlifted to its new home on July four.

''We are very much satisfied with the results. The tiger was behaving normally with hunting and eating as usual,'' said S R Sinha, the Director of the Wildlife Instiute of India(WII) that was entrusted with the job of supervising the relocation.The first tiger was airlifted to Sariska from Ranthambhore after being administered sedatives. It, however, regained consciousness shortly before being released into its enclosure.

The relocation, which was the first experience of its kind perhaps in the world, had given rise to doubts over its success.

However, the experience with the first tiger was very encouraging, which prompted them to proceed with taking the second tiger to Sariska, Mr Sinha told UNI over phone from Ranthambhore.

He said there was sufficient prey base for the tiger that was released into the wild from its enclosure.

Mr Sinha added that the problem of traffic disturbance within Sariska had been solved to a great extent with the movement of vehicular traffic being banned in the evening when the animals roam around.

The second animal, a tigress, that was brought into Sariska yesterday, will also be released into the wild shortly after watching its behaviour.

The two tigers are among the total three, which are to be put into the sanctuary initially.

The Sariska sanctuary attracted world attention about four years ago when it was discovered that it had lost all its tiger to poaching and other reasons. The authorities then undertook a number of steps to make the sanctaury habitable for the big cat again, and finally today they reintroduced the majestic animal to its environs picking it from Tiger Reserve.

UNI