A wild tiger has been introduced into a nature reserve in Alwar, India, in a bid to increase the population of the animal in the region.

Environmental experts are said to be delighted by the move which saw the creature released into Sariska Tiger Reserve.

Describing it as an "historic moment", R.N. Mehrotra, chief wildlife warden for Rajasthan, said: "This kind of wild-to-wild relocation has not taken place anywhere else."

He added: "The tiger is in good shape. The operation was successful in every respect but for hiccups caused by the vagaries of weather."

Rajesh Gopal, director of the National Tiger Conservation Authority of India, said that the re-location was "the first step towards successful re-establishment of tigers in Sariska".

Before this most recent project, the tiger population in Sariska was in danger of becoming extinct. The reserve can house up to 50 tigers at full capacity.

Located approximately 200km from Delhi and 107km from Jaipur, the reserve was declared a national park in 1979.

The best time to take a safari in the reserve is said to be between October and April, although it is open throughout the year.

Back to News