Royal Bengal Tiger Pair Arrives at Renuka Zoo After 11-Year Wait
Nahan, September 20, 2026: Ending an 11-year wait, a pair of Royal Bengal Tigers arrived at Shri Renuka Ji Zoo in Himachal Pradesh from Gorewada in Maharashtra on Sunday afternoon.
The seven-member team, led by Dr Shahnawaz, IFS, DCF Wildlife Shimla, travelled nearly 1,900 km to bring the tiger pair to Renuka Ji. The male tiger is around five years old, while the female is about three years old.
Priti Bhandari, IFS, Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Circle, Shimla South, said an enclosure and other facilities suitable for the tigers had been developed at a cost of around Rs 1.67 crore. She said the arrival of the tiger pair marked an important milestone for wildlife conservation in Himachal Pradesh and would further enhance Renuka Ji Zoo as a major tourist attraction.
Dr Shahnawaz said approval for the wildlife exchange was received in August 2026, following which the process was initiated. Under the exchange programme, a pair of Red Junglefowl was sent from Shri Renuka Ji Zoo to the Tiger Rescue Centre in Nagpur, Maharashtra, in return for the Royal Bengal Tiger pair.
He said the exchange was significant for Himachal Pradesh and expressed gratitude to all officers and officials whose coordinated efforts made the arrival of the tigers possible.
Samagra Sikhsha
