Nagpur, India: The Maharashtra Forest Department is set to transfer 15 tigers from the Gorewada Rescue Centre in Nagpur to the Greens Zoological, Rescue, and Rehabilitation Centre in Jamnagar. The Gorewada Rescue Centre, currently home to 29 tigers and 30 leopards, has reached its capacity for housing large carnivores. None of these animals will be released into the wild, as they are either injured or considered problematic.

“This transfer is part of a decongestion process because Gorewada has exceeded its capacity. The Jamnagar facility is well-equipped to accommodate the tigers,” said Shatnik Bhagwat, Zoo Director.

The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) gave the green light for this transfer in late August. Bhagwat noted that no animal exchange will occur; instead, the tigers will simply be moved to a different rescue centre. The transfer is expected to happen within the next few days, with a team from Jamnagar arriving with special vehicles to facilitate the move.

Of the 15 tigers being transferred, six are males and nine are females. Three of these tigers are currently injured and receiving treatment at Gorewada. Special care will be taken during their transportation to ensure their safety.

The decision to transfer the tigers was approved by Maheep Gupta, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), shortly before his retirement on August 31. However, the move has sparked protests from the Ambedkari Republican Morcha, who argue that the Gorewada Rescue Centre is a key tourist attraction in Nagpur and that the tigers should remain there.