Operation TARA: Second Female Tigress from Tadoba T7-S2 released in Sonarli Enclosure at Chandoli National Park of Sahyadri Tiger Reserve 

Pune, December 10, 2025: Under Operation TARA (Tiger Augmentation and Range Expansion), the Maharashtra Forest Department this evening carried out the soft release of a two-year-old female tigress, T7-S2 — the second female translocated from Tadoba–Andhari Tiger Reserve — into the Sonarli acclimatisation enclosure at Chandoli National Park, Sahyadri Tiger Reserve.

The tigress was captured yesterday on 8 December 2025 evening from the Tadoba–Andhari Tiger Reserve, Korala Core Range, Pandharpauni area and examined for her health status. Veterinary procedures conducted by Dr. Ravikant Khobragade, Veterinary Officer (Wildlife) & Head, Rapid Rescue Team, Tadoba–Andhari Tiger Reserve, confirmed that the tigress is perfectly fit and healthy.

Soft release facilitates the tigress’s gradual adjustment to the local terrain, prey base and environmental conditions within a protected enclosure prior to her release into the open forest, enabling safer settlement and improved habitat fidelity.

The operation is being conducted under the scientific guidance of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).

Dr. K. Ramesh, Senior Scientist, WII, along with Akash Patil, Field Biologist, WII, are observing acclimatisation and behavioural responses of the tigress during the ongoing capture and soft-release phase.

At the national level, the activity is being observed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) through Dr. Nandkishor Kale, Assistant Inspector General (Project Tiger), and Rohan Bhate.

The smooth execution of the operation was made possible by the dedicated efforts of the Tadoba Rapid Rescue Team (RRT) and the frontline staff of Korala Core Range, who worked extensively on ground operations, logistics coordination and animal handling during the capture, transport, and soft-release processes.

The field operation continues to be jointly conducted by teams of Tadoba–Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) and Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR). coordination and execution of operation is carried out under guidance of Dr Jitendra Ramgaokar CCF wildlife Mumbai. 

Dr. Prabhunath Shukla, IFS, Field Director, Tadoba–Andhari Tiger Reserve – 

“Tigress T7-S2 is a young dispersing female from the Korala Core Range, Pandharpauni area of Tadoba. She is healthy, strong and behaviourally suited for translocation. Being the second female relocated under Operation TARA, her movement contributes meaningfully to strengthening tiger presence in the Sahyadri landscape. 

Tushar Chavan, IFS, Field Director, Sahyadri Tiger Reserve – 

“The soft release of the second female tigress from Tadoba — T7-S2 — under Operation TARA is an important step in Sahyadri’s tiger recovery mission. The tigress is in excellent health, and Chandoli provides a secure habitat with sufficient prey base. Our frontline teams and scientific partners are fully prepared for her close observation and protection.”

M. Srinivas Reddy, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) & Chief Wildlife Warden, Maharashtra

“The coordinated conservation efforts of Tadoba–Andhari Tiger Reserve and Sahyadri Tiger Reserve under Operation TARA are strengthening Maharashtra’s tiger recovery mission. The successful introduction of the second female tigress reflects the dedication and professionalism of our field teams.”