A Royal Bengal tiger has been released back into the Sundarbans, six months after being critically injured by a poacher’s snare, in what the Forest Department said was Bangladesh’s first successful rehabilitation of a rescued tiger into the wild.

The female tiger was freed in the Andarmanik area of the Chadpai range on Sunday, in the presence of Shaikh Faridul Islam, state minister for forest, environment and climate change. The tigress disappeared into the deep forest within moments of the cage door being opened, despite heavy rain.

The animal had been treated at a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre in Khulna since January 4, when she was found trapped in a deer snare in the Sarokikhali area of the eastern Sundarbans. Her front left paw was severely injured. Forest officials said she had regained normal movement, agility and hunting behaviour under close veterinary supervision before being released.

“It’s a milestone to be able to return the tigress to her Sundarbans habitat after six months of treatment,” said Dr Hatem Sajjad Md Zulkarnain, veterinary officer at the Gazipur Safari Park forest division.

“At first we were uncertain how long it would take to make her fully fit, but the team’s effort meant we could release her normally.”

Chief Forest Conservator Amir Hosain Chowdhury said rehabilitating and releasing the tiger had been a challenge. He said a 35-kilometre nylon fence erected along the forest boundary had already yielded results, preventing wild animals from entering human settlements this year.

“We must protect the Sundarbans’ wildlife by any means, and everyone must remain conscious so we don’t adversely affect the forest,” Chowdhury said.

Twenty camera traps have been installed to monitor the tiger’s movement, adaptation and safety after its release.

The state minister said the government was working to strengthen crime suppression, habitat conservation and the use of modern technology to secure the tiger’s environment.

According to the latest Forest Department census, the Sundarbans is home to 125 Royal Bengal tigers.