Bhubaneswar: Tigress Zeenat, whose recent camera trap images with four cubs had sparked excitement among wildlife enthusiasts, is safe and moving normally in the northern part of Similipal Tiger Reserve, wildlife officials said on Friday.According to Similipal Tiger Reserve officials, the latest camera trap evidence of Zeenat was recorded about 10 days ago. However, fresh images of the cubs have not been available yet, largely due to camera trap limitations during the monsoon season and the periodic retrieval of memory chips for data analysis.“We have camera trap evidence of Zeenat roaming in north Similipal. Images of the cubs are not available at present, but they may emerge once chips from all camera traps are collected and analysed. These chips are not taken out daily but periodically,” said deputy director (North Similipal) Ramesh Kumar Bishnoi. Officials stressed that there has been no report indicating mortality of any of the cubs.Wildlife experts noted that Zeenat’s movement pattern reflects the behaviour of a protective mother. Since giving birth, the tigress has shifted from the southern core area to the northern region of Similipal, which development conservationists view as encouraging because the northern core, despite having rich prey populations and extensive meadows, has historically recorded a lower tiger presence.Authorities observed that Zeenat has moved only about 20 sq km over the past two months, an unusually small range for a young adult tigress. Officials attribute the restricted movement to her responsibility of raising four cubs.The first indication of Zeenat becoming a mother emerged on June 2 when a camera trap captured her carrying a cub in her mouth. Forest officials later estimated the cubs to be around three weeks old at that time. The four offspring are now close to six months old and are expected to be actively moving alongside their mother.“By this age, the cubs should be walking with considerable energy and agility. Once fresh camera trap pictures become available, their condition can be assessed more accurately,” a wildlife officer said.