Overview

• Zeenat mated with T12, a wild melanistic male, in mid-May as captured by thermal cameras at Jamuna meadow.
• Since then she has stopped exhibiting mating behaviour and spent extended periods alone, which officials regard as strong signs of pregnancy.
• Her movements are tracked continuously by forest teams using GPS collars and regular location updates.
• Based on a 105- to 120-day gestation period for tigers, cubs are anticipated between late August and early September.
• Zeenat’s November relocation from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve is part of a supplementation effort to enrich Similipal’s highly inbred, melanistic tiger population.