'Two States': Tiger Johnny Travels 300 Km From Maharashtra To Telangana In Search Of Mate

All the more, tigers possess an exceptional ability to detect pheromones released by females from as far as 100 km away, which often guides their movements in search of mates.

Johnny began his remarkable trek in late October from Kinwat taluka in Maharashtra's Nanded district.

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In an incredible display of instinct and endurance, a male tiger named Johnny has embarked on a 300-km journey spanning Maharashtra and Telangana, likely in search of a mate. This six-to-eight-year-old big cat's odyssey has captivated wildlife enthusiasts and raised awareness about tiger behaviour and habitat challenges in the region.

Johnny began his remarkable trek in late October from Kinwat taluka in Maharashtra's Nanded district. Traversing dense forests, he entered Telangana, navigating through Boath mandal in Adilabad and the forests of Kuntala, Sarangapur, Mamada, and Pembi in Nirmal district, as per a report on The Federal. His journey included crossing the busy Hyderabad-Nagpur NH-44 highway, a feat that highlights the risks faced by wildlife amid human-dominated landscapes.

Currently, Johnny is believed to be nearing the Tiryani area, moving closer to the Kawal Tiger Reserve (KTR), which could serve as his future habitat, as per India Today. KTR has struggled to maintain a resident tiger population, making Johnny’s potential arrival a significant event for conservation efforts in the reserve.

Tigers possess an exceptional ability to detect pheromones released by females from as far as 100 km away, which often guides their movements in search of mates. Johnny’s quest, however, has not been without conflict. During his journey, he has reportedly killed five cattle and made unsuccessful hunting attempts on cows, underscoring the challenges tigers face in areas of human-wildlife overlap.

Despite these incidents, forest officials have reassured locals that Johnny does not pose a direct threat to humans. Authorities have urged communities along his route to avoid confrontations and minimize panic, ensuring both human and tiger safety.

Chief Wildlife Warden Elusing Meru remarked that Johnny’s presence in Kawal Tiger Reserve could be a turning point for the sanctuary, which has struggled to attract a permanent tiger population since 2022. Tigers typically leave territories to females and cubs after mating, signaling the possibility of future growth in the reserve's tiger population if Johnny settles there.