Three-Day Tiger Rescue Operation Concludes Successfully in Bahraich
Forest officials in Bahraich have successfully concluded a tense 72-hour operation to rescue a tiger that wandered into human territory. The big cat was finally tranquilized and secured on Saturday afternoon, bringing immense relief to local residents who had lived in fear for three full days.
Intense Tracking and Strategic Planning
The operation began after villagers reported the tiger's presence on Monday. The animal had allegedly killed a bull in the area, prompting immediate alerts to forest authorities. Tracking proved challenging as the feline moved continuously between sugarcane fields and riverine floodplains, constantly changing its location.
On Saturday morning, the tiger abandoned its original hideout in Rehua Mansoor village and moved approximately 500 meters to the Azad Nagar-Basauna Mafi area. This shift prompted forest officials to intensify their surveillance efforts dramatically.
Specialized Team and Elephant Assistance
The forest department deployed a specialized team led by wildlife experts Dayashankar from Dudhwa and Deepak from Katarniaghat Wildlife Division. To aid in the difficult terrain, they brought in two trained elephants named Sulochana and Diana from Dudhwa Tiger Reserve late Thursday night.
These elephants played a crucial role in combing through dense vegetation and tracking the tiger's movements across challenging landscapes where vehicles couldn't operate effectively.
Modern Technology Meets Traditional Tracking
Officials employed drone cameras to enhance their tracking capabilities. The aerial surveillance provided precise inputs about the tiger's location and movements. Combining this modern technology with ground-level combing by the elephant-mounted teams, they managed to corner the tiger within a secured perimeter.
At approximately 3:30 PM on Saturday, with the tiger completely surrounded, wildlife experts fired a tranquilizer dart with perfect accuracy. The six-year-old male tiger was sedated safely without incident.
Safe Capture and Next Steps
Following standard wildlife protocols, the team carefully transferred the sedated animal into a secure cage. Bahraich Divisional Forest Officer Sundaresha confirmed the successful operation, stating that no harm came to any human or animal during the entire rescue mission.
The tiger is currently being shifted to the Bahraich forest division for thorough medical examination. Forest officials will conduct a complete health assessment and behavioral evaluation before deciding on the animal's future relocation or rehabilitation.
This successful operation demonstrates how coordinated efforts between trained personnel, traditional tracking methods, and modern technology can resolve human-wildlife conflicts while ensuring animal welfare and public safety.
