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Abstract: In this paper, we propose a tritrophic predator–prey model with harvesting where the top-predator population is partially supported with alternative food. We report the consequences of providing alternative food to the top-predator in a top-predator harvested model. The extinction criterion for top-predator population, local stability of equilibrium points and persistence conditions are discussed theoretically. Pontryagins maximum principle is used to characterize the optimal control of harvesting. We have derived the condition of Hopf bifurcation by varying harvesting effort. The bifurcation diagrams of the system with respect to harvesting effort in presence of alternative food are given. Our analysis show that alternative food can prevent top-predator extinction risk at higher harvesting effort and plays a vital role for biological conservation of species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]