HYDERABAD: Amrabad Tiger Reserve in Telangana, once home to only three tigers, now has a thriving population of 36 tigers. At the center of this resurgence is a tigress, Farah, also known as F6.Since giving birth to two cubs in 2019, Farah has become the undisputed matriarch of the reserve. Her bloodline now accounts for nearly half of the tigers that inhabit the tiger reserve. Known affectionately as “SuperMomma,” Farah’s contribution to the population has been extraordinary. She has littered four times in total, with her most recent birth in 2025 bringing three more cubs into the family. She was named Farah since she was primarily spotted in Farahabad, which was once the Hyderabad Nizam’s hunting ground.Her daughter, F18 has followed in her footsteps, becoming a prolific breeder herself. The local Chenchu tribals named her Bowramma, as they spotted her near the Bowramma temple. Bowramma’s 2022 litter of four cubs survived and was carefully nurtured by her before transitioning into the safety of forested land under close supervision by the reserve staff and the Chenchu tribal group. Farah’s inheritance, strengthened by her daughter’s success, now represents over 50% of the tiger population in Amrabad. As Nagarkurnool Forest Officer Rohit Goppidi IFS explains, “Farah has become the cornerstone of the big cat population here, with her recurring sightings and the tigers of her lineage forming the bedrock of conservation efforts.”Genetic Health and the Role of MalesAllaying the fears of inbreeding, Amrabad has managed to maintain its genetic diversity through the migration of male tigers from the neighbouring source population of NSTR and GBM in Andhra Pradesh. Tigers often cross the River Krishna that divides the two Telugu States. Male tigers like M19, who is the alpha dominant male of the Amrabad tiger reserve, regularly swim across the Krishna River to mate with females. According to foresters, M19’s dominance is now being challenged by a newcomer, M66, whose arrival is shaking up the status quo.“Male tigers roam across larger territories covering multiple ranges of the reserve, while females stay within defined home ranges,” says Rohit Goppidi. “This movement of male tigers from Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve and Gundla Brahmeswaram wildlife sanctuary of AP to ATR of Telangana allows us to maintain a hereditary vigourof the population, with males coming in from other reserves to keep the gene pool diverse.”Reigning Queen’s Legacy: A Model of SuccessFarah’s legacy as both a mother and matriarch goes beyond the number of cubs she has produced; it’s about the remarkable survival rates of her offspring. Wildlife biologist D Mahendar Reddy credits the strong survival instincts and resilient genes of Farah’s lineage for their success. Other prominent females like F7, known as Tara, have also played an important role in the reserve’s growth. Although she isn’t related to Farah, Tara’s three litters—two of which were sizable, each with four cubs—have enriched the genetic diversity and vitality of the reserve.Conservation Through CollaborationAmrabad’s success is a collaboration between forest officials and the Chenchu tribal community. Residents of the forest, these tribal members act as skilled trackers, to ensure the safety and well-being of the tigers. Their knowledge of the landscape and tiger behavior, adding to the use of modern technology.
DFO Rohit Goppidi says “Alongside human tracking , we use advanced tools like Pink Evolve, AI-driven software that monitors prey spatial density, and Tiger ID, developed by the Wildlife Institute of India, to identify and track individual tigers.”Amrabad’s eco-tourism revenues have increased since the formation of Telangana which also resulted in the bifurcation of tiger reserve, benefiting the local community and providing jobs for 127 Chenchu guides and supporting the establishment of 17 local homestays.
