A 12-year-old tigress was safely captured by the Karnataka Forest Department near Maddur in Chamarajanagar district on 26 August, ending several days of fear among residents after the big cat repeatedly wandered close to human habitation and agricultural fields. Officials suspect the animal sustained a chest injury, possibly from a fight with another tiger, which may have prevented it from returning to the forest.

How the Capture Unfolded

The operation was set in motion when Rajendra, a youth from Maddur village in Gundlupet taluk, spotted the tigress just a few metres away while working in his agricultural field on Tuesday. Alarmed, he fled to safety unhurt and immediately alerted villagers, who in turn notified the Bandipur Forest Department.

A forest team swiftly deployed to the area and used a drone camera to track the tigress's movements and pinpoint her location. A prolonged overnight operation followed, culminating in the animal's safe capture without harm to either the tigress or personnel.

Condition and Next Steps

Officials are expected to conduct a detailed medical examination focusing on the chest injury. A decision on treatment, rehabilitation, or release will be taken based on the animal's health assessment. The injury is believed to have been sustained during an intra-species conflict, a pattern that wildlife experts say can push tigers into fringe habitats as they lose competitive ground within their territory.

Days of Anxiety for Local Communities

The tigress had been moving around Maddur Colony and surrounding residential areas for several days before the capture, causing considerable distress among farmers and daily labourers working in the fields. Villagers had been on edge, and the successful capture brought visible relief to the community. This incident underscores the growing frequency of human-wildlife contact in the buffer zones adjoining Bandipur Tiger Reserve, one of India's most significant tiger habitats.

Rare Tiger Sighting Near Hampi Adds to the Picture

Separately, for the first time in nearly five decades, a tiger has been recorded in forests near Hampi in Koppal district, with camera traps at Kishkinda Hills capturing the movement. The last confirmed tiger presence in that region dates to the 1970s. Experts believe the animal may have migrated from the Shrishailam wildlife corridor in Andhra Pradesh and could have been resident in the Kishkinda Hills for several months. Residents in that area have been advised to avoid venturing into the forest alone and to refrain from sleeping outdoors at night.

Together, the two developments reflect a broader dynamic: Karnataka's tiger population is expanding its range, bringing both conservation milestones and fresh challenges for communities living on the forest edge.