Synopsis
A tigress known for her attacks on humans in the Dhamokhar range of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, was captured on April 14. Her recent attacks caused fear in two villages, prompting authorities to intervene for monitoring and potential rehabilitation.Key Takeaways
- The tigress had been involved in multiple human attacks.
- She was captured and will be monitored for behavioral assessment.
- Local villagers are often at risk when collecting Mahua flowers.
- The recent attacks have heightened tensions in the area.
- Authorities are considering rehabilitation options based on her behavior.
Bhopal, April 14 (NationPress) A tigress, infamous for her repeated assaults on humans in two villages within the Dhamokhar range of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh's Umaria district, was ultimately captured and relocated on Monday, according to officials.
The tigress, who had recently attacked a child and a woman, had caused significant alarm and distress among the local populace.
"The tigress was taken from the Dhamokhar range this morning... she had carried out two attacks last Saturday and Sunday – one targeting a boy and another on a woman. The boy tragically lost his life in the incident. Both individuals were in the forest to gather Mahua flowers," stated Bandhavgarh National Park Field Director Anupam Sahay to IANS.
The tigress had been active across two to three villages near Bandhavgarh National Park, preying on humans, dogs, cattle, and more.
"The tigress will remain under medical oversight to evaluate her behavior, after which a decision will be made regarding her release into the wild or transfer to a rehabilitation center," the Field Director mentioned.
In the attack on Saturday, the boy, named Vijay Kaul, was killed, while the woman, identified as Rita Baiga, aged 38, was sent to Jabalpur after receiving initial treatment at the Umaria district hospital. The tigress had previously assaulted another woman and a man.
Before the capture of the tiger, team leader Arpit Maidhal monitored the animal’s movements. The operation was attended by the Deputy Director of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, the Assistant Director of Dhamokhar and Tala, the Wildlife Health Officer, Rangers from Dhamokhar and Patour, along with members of the rescue team and field staff.
Sahay noted that the tigress had been present in the area for a prolonged period.
Meanwhile, a 65-year-old woman was tragically mauled to death by a sub-adult tiger in Panna Tiger Reserve in the state on Monday. This incident took place in the Hinota area of the Reserve, which is merely one kilometer from one of the main entrances to the national park.
Tiger-human conflicts are not uncommon in the buffer zones of national parks in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Typically, tigers strike during early morning hours when locals are out collecting Mahua flowers in the forest. The collection of Mahua flowers, an essential source of income for tribal families, has rendered villagers increasingly vulnerable to tiger attacks.
