Why Is a Tiger Taking Shelter Inside a Home in Ranchi?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Panic ensued in Mardu village as a tiger took refuge in a home.
- Residents acted quickly to secure their safety.
- Authorities enforced prohibitory measures to manage the situation.
- A comprehensive rescue operation is underway involving wildlife experts.
- Wildlife encounters in this region are rare but highlight the need for better management.
Ranchi, June 25 (NationPress) A wave of fear swept through Mardu village in Kocho Panchayat, within the Silli block of Ranchi district, Jharkhand early Wednesday morning as a full-grown tiger wandered into a residential house and remained trapped inside for over 12 hours.
The majestic feline reportedly made its way into the residence of Puran Chand Mahato around 4:30 a.m., shortly after Mahato returned from his night shift at the Hindalco factory in Muri.
Upon stepping out to care for his goats, he unexpectedly encountered the tiger. Acting swiftly, Mahato evacuated his two daughters from the house and secured the iron door, effectively trapping the big cat inside.
News of the incident spread rapidly, attracting thousands of curious spectators to the scene.
By 11 a.m., authorities enforced prohibitory measures around the house, restricting movement within a 200-meter radius as directed by the Ranchi Sadar SDO.
An unsettling stillness enveloped the village as forest officials and police worked tirelessly to manage the crowd and coordinate rescue operations.
A local resident captured a partial image of the tiger through a hole drilled in the wall, revealing the animal crouched in one of the rooms.
The Forest Department initially deployed a rescue team from Birsa Biological Park in Ormanjhi, but their attempts to tranquilize and capture the tiger proved unsuccessful.
In response, senior officials enlisted a more seasoned unit from the Betla Tiger Reserve in Palamu.
As of 4:30 p.m., the tiger — estimated to be between 6 to 7 feet long and believed to be a Royal Bengal Tiger — remained confined within the house.
This area, situated near the West Bengal border, occasionally witnesses wildlife movements, but incidents of this magnitude are exceedingly rare.
A comprehensive operation involving tranquilizer guns and wildlife experts is currently underway, with hopes of safely capturing the tiger before nightfall.