A third tigress has been released into the wild at the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in western Maharashtra, strengthening the state’s tiger reintroduction efforts. The tigress, officially designated STR-06, was placed in the core forest area of the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary. She has been informally named Hirkani by wildlife guides and frontline forest staff.
Translocation and Release
The tigress was earlier identified as PTR-123 at Pench Tiger Reserve in eastern Maharashtra. She was captured from the Nagalwadi forest range and transported under strict wildlife protocols. After arrival at Sahyadri, she was taken by boat to Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary. A veterinary team examined her and found her fit for release. She consumed water and meat, indicating that she was stable.
Part of Phased Reintroduction Plan
This release is part of a phased tiger reintroduction programme in Sahyadri. The first tigress, Chanda, was translocated in November 2025, followed by a second tigress in December 2025. With STR-06 now added, the known tiger population in the reserve has reached six, including three males and three females.
Conservation Significance
Officials expect the new tigress to help establish a stable breeding population in the reserve. The Koyna landscape already has a male tiger, STR-03, known as Baji. Their presence may support natural population growth in the coming years. Sahyadri Tiger Reserve spans 1,165 square kilometres across Satara, Sangli and Kolhapur districts and forms part of the northern Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot. Managed tiger introductions are seen as important because natural tiger dispersal into the area has remained limited despite good forest cover and prey availability.
Last Modified: April 28, 2026