Man-Eater Tiger Captured Near Pench Reserve After Two Human Deaths
A dangerous man-eater tiger that had terrorized villages around the Deolapar area near Pench Tiger Reserve was successfully tranquillized and captured on Tuesday, bringing an end to weeks of intense fear and anxiety among local forest fringe communities. The approximately 4-year-old male tiger was responsible for claiming two human lives and attacking several livestock, prompting a large-scale operation by forest authorities.
Operation Details and Capture
The tiger was darted near Bandra village in compartment 485 of the Deolapar forest range. The critical tranquillization was executed by a skilled team consisting of Dr. Priyal Chouragade, veterinary officer at the Transit Treatment Centre (TTC), and Vivek Rajurkar, forest range officer at Pench. Working in perfect coordination, the duo managed to subdue the tiger as it approached to finish off its prey. Following the capture, the animal was securely caged and transported to Nagpur, arriving in the early hours of the night.
Upon examination, officials discovered an old wound on the tiger, and immediate medical treatment was initiated. The tiger is currently under close medical observation at the TTC facility to monitor its health and recovery.
Joint Search and Surveillance Efforts
The search operation that led to the successful capture was a collaborative effort involving multiple teams. A joint team included TTC staffers Chetan Baraskar, Bandu Mangar, Swapnil Bhure, and Praveen Mankar, alongside rapid response units from Pench and Deolapar. The operation was supervised by Govinda Luche, assistant conservator of forests, along with Vivek Rajurkar and SB Tule, forest range officer of Deolapar, who worked closely with the full ground team.
The tiger's attacks had instilled widespread panic in Savara and surrounding villages, with residents becoming extremely cautious after dusk and demanding increased forest patrols for safety. The two human fatalities occurred on February 8 and February 20, heightening the urgency of the capture mission.
Political Involvement and Enhanced Measures
In response to the escalating crisis, Ramtek MP Shyam Barve chaired a crucial meeting with the state forest department in the last week of February. During this meeting, it was decided to intensify the search efforts by deploying advanced resources such as drones, additional personnel, and camera traps across identified wildlife movement corridors. Former state minister Rajendra Mulak also attended the meeting, expressing deep concern for the safety of people living near the forest fringe.
The implementation of aerial and ground surveillance following this meeting is believed to have significantly narrowed the tracking operation, ultimately leading to the precise location and capture of the tiger. This strategic approach highlights the importance of coordinated efforts between political leaders, forest officials, and local communities in managing human-wildlife conflicts effectively.
