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The Enduring Tale of Khairi: A Tigress's Journey of Love and Tragedy
In a remote corner of Odisha, amidst the lush greenery of the Simlipal Tiger Reserve, a remarkable story unfolded—a story of a tigress named Khairi and her extraordinary bond with humans.
It all began on a fateful day in October 1974 when a tiny, abandoned tiger cub was discovered near the Khairi River by members of the Khadia tribal community. Unsure of what to do, they brought the cub to the home of Saroj Raj Choudhury, a renowned wildlife conservationist and the founder of the Simlipal Tiger Reserve.
With care and love, Saroj Choudhury and his wife Nihar Nalini Swain adopted the cub, naming her Khairi. What followed was a tale of unprecedented companionship between man and beast. Khairi grew up alongside the Choudhurys, forming bonds not just with them but also with other animals in their care.
Despite several attempts to reintroduce her to the wild, Khairi chose to remain with her human family. Saroj Choudhury seized this unique opportunity for research, closely observing Khairi's behavior and contributing to the understanding of tiger behavior.
Khairi became a sensation, capturing the hearts of people across the nation. Her story was immortalized in newspapers and even inspired poetry. Unlike most wild tigers, Khairi never exhibited aggression towards humans, endearing herself to all who crossed her path.
Tragedy struck in 1981 when Khairi was bitten by a rabid dog and succumbed to rabies. The loss devastated Saroj Choudhury, who passed away the same year. His wife, Nihar Nalini Swain, who had lovingly cared for Khairi, later moved to an old age home and passed away in 2021.
With their deaths, a chapter in wildlife history closed—a chapter marked by love, companionship, and the indelible bond between a man and a tigress. As India welcomes new arrivals like the reintroduction of cheetahs, the legacy of Khairi serves as a reminder of the beauty and fragility of the relationship between humans and wildlife.
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