Princh Mondal Olif, Bagerhat District Correspondent

A Royal Bengal tigress rescued after being critically injured in a poacher's snare is set to return to the Sundarbans following nearly six months of treatment and rehabilitation. The Forest Department plans to release the animal on July 12 in the forest near the Andharmanik Ecotourism Centre under the Chandpai Range in Bagerhat.

The tigress was rescued on January 3 after becoming trapped in a snare allegedly set by deer poachers. She was taken to the Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Division's rehabilitation centre in Khulna, where she underwent intensive medical care. According to the Forest Department, the deep wound on her front left leg has completely healed, and she has regained her physical fitness.

Following a final health assessment, a medical board approved her release into the wild, describing it as an important step toward maintaining the ecological balance of the Sundarbans.

Despite the successful recovery, wildlife experts have expressed concerns about the tigress's survival after release. They believe that hunting independently, defending herself, and reclaiming her former territory could prove challenging after spending months in captivity. There is also a possibility of territorial conflict if another tiger has occupied her previous range.

To monitor her movements, the Forest Department is installing 20 camera traps across an eight-kilometre area. Ten cameras have already been placed, while the remaining units are expected to be installed before the release.

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said the camera traps would help monitor the tigress's movements and behaviour after reintroduction.

Wildlife expert Dr. Reza Khan, however, noted that camera traps alone are not enough. He stressed that a more comprehensive scientific assessment of prey availability and habitat suitability before release would have further reduced potential risks.

Forest officials believe that if the reintroduction proves successful, it could serve as a valuable model for the future rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured wildlife in the Sundarbans.