Nature enthusiasts frolicking in Jaipur’s Nahargarh Biological Park will soon be able to spot a four-year-old male tiger named ‘Shivaji’. The new entrant is the sixth tiger in the reserve who has been transferred from Gwalior under the ambit of a national exchange programme. Reportedly, Shivaji will be paired with resident Tigress Rani, with an aim to increase the tiger population in the park.
A 400-km-long journey
Shivaji travelled 400 km from Gwalior’s Gandhi Zoological Park to reach the destination. However, the journey wasn’t an easy one. Notably, the unbearable heat was the biggest challenge for the tiger, who was given electrolytes and glucose for hydration every 50 km. Shivaji was supplied with only mineral water throughout the journey to avoid illness due to contamination.
Besides, every 2 hours, health officials from the forest department stopped the caravan to check the tiger’s health. Chicken and mutton were also fed to him lest he should feel restless with hunger.
Preserving tiger population
Officials from the Rajasthan forest department and Nahargarh Biological park have come together to chart out an action plan to increase the tiger population in Jaipur. The Nahargarh Biological Park is infamous for tiger deaths and to combat the increase in tiger deaths authorities have now decided to install CCTV cameras in tiger cages. With this surveillance, the forest authorities will be able to monitor the health of tigers and other animals.
As per the reports, Tiger Shivaji will be kept in quarantine for three weeks before becoming a regular mainstay at the Nahargarh Biological Park. As part of the exchange, a pair of wolves, leopards, and a fox have been handed over to the Gwalior zoo.
