“The tigress was transported by boat to Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary in STF on Friday night. There, veterinary doctors examined her and provided her with water and mutton to eat. She was then taken to a safe place in the core area of ​​Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday morning. She came out of the transport cage and ran towards the forest around 12 noon,” Chavan said.

Hirkani, third tigress released in Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary

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The STR guides have named the tigress as Hirkani. Previously, a tigress called Tara was transported safely from Tadoba Tiger Reserve in Chandrapur to STR on December 9, 2025. She was then kept in a soft-release enclosure in Chandoli National Park in the Sangli region of STR.

The doors of the soft release enclosure were kept open since December 13, but the tigress came out immediately. The tigress killed and after feeding on it for three days, it left the enclosure and headed to the central forest on the morning of December 18, 2025.

another tiger Chanda, was also relocated from the Tadoba Tiger Reserve. and released in Chandoli National Park on November 20, 2025.

Rohan Bhate, honorary wildlife warden, who actively participated in the action, said, “Earlier, there were three male tigers in STR. Now, with the release of three tigers, we hope to increase the tiger population in STR, which is necessary to strengthen biodiversity and boost wildlife tourism, creating new jobs. Tigress Chanda has mated with a male tiger. Tara has also adapted very well to STR.”

Spread over nearly 740 square kilometers in Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur and Ratnagiri districts of Maharashtra, the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve includes Chandoli National Park, Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary and Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary.

“The release of tigers in the STR has led to general tourist activities in Sahyadri. The number of tourists staying here has increased. This will help in the economic and environmental development of the region,” Chavan said.

According to the forest department, radio collars have been fitted to the newly released tigresses to monitor them round the clock using satellite telemetry and VHF antenna tracking units to ensure their safety and smooth integration into the wild ecosystem.

Officials said key components for monitoring tigers also include triangulation based on field patrols and direct sign verification, behavioral documentation (movement, resting sites, killing patterns, territory exploration), protocols to avoid conflicts with local communities and preparation for veterinary response.