Gujarat has witnessed an extraordinary wildlife revival: the return of a tiger to its forests after being declared extinct in the state decades ago. The unexpected presence was first detected nearly nine months ago inside Dahod district’s Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary, a landscape that borders Madhya Pradesh’s Jhabua and Kathiwada regions areas known for healthy tiger populations. Initial pugmarks and field signs raised curiosity, but months of camera-trap evidence have now confirmed that the big cat is not simply wandering through; it is actively claiming territory and adapting to its new habitat.
The tiger that chose Ratanmahal
What makes this comeback remarkable is the tiger’s behaviour. Rather than passing through, it has begun marking its territory, moving confidently across the sanctuary’s rugged hills and dense forest patches. Experts believe the tiger is around four to five years old and likely dispersed naturally from neighbouring Madhya Pradesh through long-standing forest corridors. The sanctuary’s terrain, prey availability, and undisturbed cover appear to have provided the ideal conditions for the tiger to settle, making this the first long-term tiger presence Gujarat has recorded in decades.
A sanctuary on high alert and high hope
Following the discovery, the Forest Department intensified monitoring throughout the sanctuary. Enhanced patrolling, additional camera traps, fire prevention measures, and careful management of water and prey resources have all become part of the region’s daily conservation routine. Ratanmahal, known primarily for its sloth bears, is now under round-the-clock observation as officials balance ecological protection with local safety.
What this means for Gujarat’s conservation future
The tiger’s unexpected return has revived conversations about the state’s ecological identity. Gujarat already hosts the Asiatic lion and a strong leopard population; now, with this tiger’s arrival, it briefly holds all three major big cats once again. Conservationists are cautious but optimistic, suggesting that this could mark the beginning of a new chapter in the state’s wildlife history if the habitat continues to remain favourable.
A roar that rewrites the past
For a species believed to be gone forever from Gujarat’s forests, this silent yet powerful comeback is a reminder that nature often finds its way back when given a chance. As the tiger moves through Ratanmahal’s shaded ridges and deep valleys, Gujarat watches with anticipation hopeful that this lone wanderer might be the start of a renewed legacy.