A tigress that had been avoiding capture for 24 days in Pench Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, was finally caught on December 21, 2025. The big cat was surrounded by elephants multiple times before being tranquillised by officials. She was then taken to Sukatra airstrip in a rescue vehicle. Around 6 p.m., the Indian Air Force used an MI-17 helicopter to airlift the tigress, along with her cage, to Vishdhari Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan. Onboard the helicopter were Pench Tiger Reserve veterinarian Dr Akhilesh Mishra, assistant director Gurleen Kaur, Rukhad ranger Lokesh Pawar, Wildlife Conservation Trust veterinarian Dr Prashant Deshmukh, and forest officials from Rajasthan. They ensured the safe journey of the three-year-old tigress. Deputy Director Rajneesh Singh of Pench Tiger Reserve said, "Pench tigress PN-224 was captured from the wild and airlifted from Sukatra airstrip to Rajasthan. This relocation will not only increase the tiger population in Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve but will also help strengthen genetic diversity among different tiger landscapes. This operation is an excellent example of scientific wildlife management and technical prowess." Singh added, "India has achieved another major success in wildlife conservation and inter-state coordination. The most significant aspect of this entire operation was the safe transport of the tigress to her new home via an Indian Air Force MI-17 helicopter. This relocation operation was conducted systematically and scientifically for the past month." The team monitoring the tigress used about 50 AI-based camera traps and motion sensor cameras for accurate tracking of her health and movement. The successful relocation was thanks to strong cooperation between the forest departments of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Rajasthan's Chief Conservator of Forests, Suganaram Jat, and veterinarian Dr Tejinder stayed in Pench for eight days to assist. The tricky task of tranquillising the tigress was managed by Dr Mishra and Dr Deshmukh, supported by experts from Jabalpur Veterinary College and field biologists. Assistant Director Gurleen Kaur led the transfer mission. Field staff from Pench’s Kurai and Rukhad ranges played a key role by patrolling daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to track the tigress. This operation highlights the power of science, teamwork, and technology working together to protect India’s tiger population.