An adult male tiger, named ‘Explorer’, in a playful mood inside Papikonda National Park in Polavaram district. The tiger was released into the PNP. File photo credit: Special arrangement
The Andhra Pradesh State government has prepared the ground to welcome two female tigers from the States of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, supporting a thriving population of tigers in the Papikonda National Park (PNP) in the Godavari Valley in Andhra Pradesh.
On February 14, the adult male tiger, named ‘Explorer’, was reintroduced into the wild in the Godavari landscape of Papikonda National Park (PNP) in Andhra Pradesh as part of Operation Stripes, eight days after it was tranquilised in Kurmapuram village in East Godavari district.
The Explorer has adopted the PNP landscape, in which it has access to abundant prey. Now, it is in the process of forming its territory. It is very healthy, given its movements as claimed by the officials.
Speaking to The Hindu on Tuesday (February 24), Chief Conservator of Forest, Rajahmundry Wildlife Division S. Srikantakantha Reddy has stated; “Deputy Chief Minister and Forest Minister K. Pawan Kalyan has appealed to State governments of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh for two female tigers from their landscapes. Both the States have consented to the appeal”.
One female tiger will be chosen for the translocation to PNP from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (Maharasthra), from where the male tiger, Explorer, walked for more than 650 kilometers before it was tranquilised in East Godavari district.
“The choice of choosing two female tigers is left with our department. One will come from the Tadoba landscape and another is preferably from the State of Madhya Pradesh”, added Mr. Reddy. He has claimed that the two female tigers are most likely to be ‘airlifted’ from their native landscapes to avoid challenges in translocation. “The two female tigers are expected to be brought to PNP anytime, given the status of our preparedness”, added Mr. Reddy.
“The male tiger, Explorer, is in search of a female tiger. The population will thrive in the PNP, in which 39 deer have been introduced as part of ‘prey augmentation for Explorer“, said Mr. Reddy.
Published – February 25, 2026 06:29 am IST
