In a successful operation to mitigate a potential human-animal conflict, forest officials in Bihar's West Champaran district rescued a mature Royal Bengal Tiger that had strayed from its natural habitat. The big cat was safely tranquilised and captured on Saturday night after it entered a village and killed livestock.
Straying Tiger Sparks Alert in Villages
The incident began when the tiger, identified as a male over 10 years old, started repeatedly venturing into human-populated areas from the Valmiki Tiger Reserve. The situation escalated late on Friday night when the predator entered Chargharia village in the Bagaha subdivision. According to local accounts, the tiger attacked and killed a cow, raising immediate concerns for the safety of villagers.
Following the attack, the forest department intensified its surveillance in the area. Neshamani K, the West Champaran forest conservator-cum-director, explained that officials anticipated the tiger might return to the site of its kill. A strategic plan was quickly put into action.
The Nighttime Rescue Operation
Acting on their assessment, a specialised rescue team was deployed at the location, equipped with a tranquiliser gun. Their patience paid off when, on Saturday night, the tiger returned to the area. The team successfully sedated the animal, ensuring a safe and controlled operation.
"The action was taken as a precautionary measure to prevent any human-wildlife conflict," stated Neshamani. After being tranquilised, the tiger was carefully placed into a secure cage. On Sunday, it was transported to the Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park in Patna for further care and observation.
Post-Rescue Care and Team Effort
The forest department confirmed that the rescued tiger will undergo a thorough physical health check-up at the biological park. This step is crucial to ensure the animal's well-being after the stressful episode and its encounters near human settlements.
The coordinated rescue effort saw the presence of several key officials and staff, including:
- ACF Satyam Kumar
- Veterinary doctor Dr Rakesh Kumar
- Field biologist Saurabh Verma
- Forest guards Suraj Kumar, Ashish Kumar, Om Prakash Kumar, and Shubham Kumar
Their combined expertise ensured the operation was conducted smoothly without harm to the animal or the public.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of human-wildlife coexistence near forest reserves. The prompt response by the West Champaran forest department averted a potential tragedy, ensuring the safety of both the endangered tiger and the local community.
