Three-Year-Old Tigress Airlifted from Bihar to Bengal, Release in Buxa on October 2

Kolkata, September 30, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)

A three-year-old tigress from Bihar’s Valmiki Tiger Reserve was airlifted to north Bengal on Wednesday as part of an ambitious programme to revive the tiger population in West Bengal’s Buxa Tiger Reserve.

The tigress, captured after a prolonged search operation in Valmiki Tiger Reserve, was transported from Gorakhpur airport in a specially designed cage with medical support. An Indian Air Force helicopter carried the animal to Hasimara Air Force Station, where it landed at around 4.45 a.m.

Forest officials said nearly 70 personnel involved in the tiger rescue operation had been searching for the animal for several days despite difficult weather conditions. The tigress was finally tranquilised with sleeper darts before dusk on Tuesday.

Following her capture, the animal underwent health checks before being transported by road from Valmiki Tiger Reserve in Bihar’s Champaran district to Gorakhpur airport, around 125 km away.

After the airlift, two wildlife veterinarians and tiger experts examined the tigress for more than an hour at Hasimara and assessed her physical parameters before she was moved towards Buxa Tiger Reserve.

The tigress was then transported by road to Buxa, around 37 km from Hasimara. Security arrangements were strengthened along the route, with additional police personnel deployed to facilitate the transfer.

The animal entered Buxa through the Rajabhatkhawa gate at around 6.45 p.m. and was taken to a special Forest Department facility at 25 Miles. She will remain there temporarily before being shifted to a 2.2-hectare natural enclosure.

Officials said the tigress is scheduled to be released into the natural enclosure on October 2, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav are scheduled to attend the release programme.

The relocation forms part of a broader initiative to restore the tiger population in Buxa Tiger Reserve. Forest authorities have been preparing facilities for the animal’s acclimatisation and post-release monitoring, with the operation involving coordination among forest, wildlife and defence authorities.

The Buxa Tiger Reserve has also restricted tourism activities from September 30 to October 3 in view of the reintroduction programme.