Doors Rani Returns to Buxa After 100-km Journey Into Assam
A Royal Bengal tigress named Doors Rani has safely returned to West Bengal after travelling more than 100 km into Assam, prompting forest officials from both states to launch a coordinated rescue operation to bring her back.
The three-year-old tigress left West Bengal’s Buxa Tiger Reserve after officials released her into the wild on October 2. She crossed the Sankosh River on October 23 and eventually reached Raimona National Park in Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Region.
Forest officials initially allowed the radio-collared tigress to move freely, expecting her to find her way back to Buxa through the forest corridors connecting Assam and Bhutan. However, her movements towards human settlements in Kokrajhar over the following days raised concerns about a possible human-wildlife conflict.
Authorities then launched a joint operation involving forest personnel from Assam and West Bengal, local police, district administration and community members. The teams tracked her movements through the radio collar and coordinated efforts to secure the area.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) also granted the necessary clearance for the rescue operation.
After locating the tigress near human settlements, the teams successfully captured her and transported her back to West Bengal. She reached the Buxa Tiger Reserve area near Rajabhat Khawa late Tuesday night.
West Bengal Forest Minister Manoj Oraon confirmed the successful operation and said the tigress remained in good health. He also acknowledged the Assam government’s cooperation in bringing her back safely.
Assam Forest and Climate Change Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah praised the joint efforts, thanking forest officials, local authorities and residents for their support.
The rescue highlights the challenges wildlife officials face when animals move beyond protected areas. It also underscores the importance of cross-border coordination in protecting wildlife and preventing human-animal conflict.
