Baripada: The Forest Department announced on Sunday that an eight-month-old female tiger cub, saved from Kaparkhai village within the Thakurmunda range of Karanjia forest division, has been released into the core area of the Similipal Tiger Reserve to help it acclimatize.

This cub was rescued on September 25 and spent seven days receiving veterinary treatment at the Thakurmunda range office campus, where it was fed and given nutritional supplements.

During this period, the animal made notable health improvements and became more active, according to the department.

Blood and fecal samples taken from the cub were analyzed at the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), confirming that the cub was free from diseases or infections.

After assessing its health, the cub was transported on October 2 and released around 9 PM in the Jamuna enclosure within the core region of the reserve for acclimatization.

The Forest Department noted that the female cub is currently active and moving within the enclosure.

Decisions regarding its reintroduction into the wild will depend on its progress throughout the rewilding process.