The sub-adult problem tiger that killed six persons in Deolapar Forest Range of Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) is giving tough time to the Forest Department, as it is still elusive despite many attempts of capturing it. The forest teams from Nagpur, Bhandara and Chandrapur are working together to capture the elusive tiger but every effort has gone in vain in the last 20 days. In last six months, the tiger has killed around six persons, who went to forest fringes for some work. However, the big cat has stopped venturing near human settlements due to availability of food inside the forest area, since the start of monsoon. “We have tied baits near the cages to lure the big cat. It has killed the baits on 2-3 occasions, but we failed to tranquillise it as the bushes are dense after start of monsoon,” Dr Bharat Singh Hada, Deputy Conservator of Forest, Nagpur told The Hitavada.

 

As per information, the tiger was in search of territory, and now it has achieved success to establish it in the territorial forest area of Deolapar range. Meanwhile, the Forest Department has identified its new territory, which is spread in 2-3 compartments of the forest range. “It is now residing in the territorial forest and also visiting buffer areas of PTR. We have installed camera traps near its territory and are getting images of its movement. We are providing food in form of baits to the big cat to restrict its movement near human settlements,” said Dr Hada. As per sources, the tiger is now habitual to consuming cattle and the Forest Department is providing it the same. Due to heavy rains and dense bushes inside the forest, the teams are struggling to capture the tiger.

 

“We got the capture order from PCCF 20 days back and such orders are valid for 2 months. If we fail to capture it now, then we have to renew it,” said the DCF. As per information, the tiger attacked few villagers too, two-three times in the past 20 days. Therefore, the Forest Department restricted entry of villagers inside the forest. The villagers residing nearby are in tremendous panic and demanding quick capture of the tiger. The farmers are avoiding to go to their agriculture fields too due to the panic. Whereas, the forest team is still clue-less on how to capture the tiger, which has already established its territory in the forest fringes.