A seven-year-old male tiger identified as ‘TUI-25,’ which had created fear across several forest villages in the Parseoni tehsil, was successfully captured by the Forest Department on Saturday evening after an intensive search operation lasting over a month. The tiger was tranquilised at around 5.45 pm near Kalbhairav Peth in the Peth-Parsodi forest area. The operation was carried out by the Problem Response Team (PRT) in the presence of shooter Parag Bhute and veterinary expert Dr Priyal Mandal. After being sedated, the animal was secured by approximately 7.00 pm under the supervision of Assistant Conservator of Forests Govinda Lunche, Range Forest Officer Rahul Shinde and other forest personnel.

 

The tiger was responsible for two human fatalities in the region, including the death of farm labourer Dinesh Khandate of Heti Tola and another victim, Madhukar Raut, in the same Kalbhairav Peth forest area. Since July last year, the tiger’s frequent sightings and attacks on livestock had spread fear among residents of Tekadi, Kanhadevi, Bhagemahari, Kondasawali, Peth Parsodi, Babulwada, Shiladevi, Bitoli, Chargav, Bachhera and Neurwada villages. Following official orders issued on February 4, forest officials, veterinarians and trained shooters launched a continuous tracking and capture mission that lasted nearly 30–35 days. The captured tiger was later transported to the Transit Treatment Centre (TTC) in Nagpur for further examination and monitoring. The operation was carried out under the guidance of Deputy Conservator of Forests Dr Vineeta Vyas along with several forest officers and staff. Notably, members of the PRT team involved in the high-risk operation have reportedly not received their salaries for the past six months despite continuing their duties.