Bengal and Assam forest teams begin joint operation to capture Buxa tigress
The coordinated effort follows clearance from the National Tiger Conservation Authority to catch the tigress near Assam's Raimona National Park.
Forest teams from West Bengal and Assam have launched a joint operation to capture the Buxa tigress near Assam's Raimona National Park, according to The Times of India.
The operation began after the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) provided clearance on Monday afternoon. Bengal forest minister Manoj Kumar Oraon confirmed the development and stated he was travelling to the site.
Forest personnel, researchers, and trackers from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) assembled at St Francis Xavier’s High School in Dotma. A source stated the tigress was last located in the Lawdanga revenue village area, approximately 33 km from Raimona National Park.
The operation was suspended after 7 pm on Monday and is scheduled to restart early on Tuesday, an official said. The tigress's radio collar stopped transmitting on October 28, though signals resumed on the morning of October 30 at Narayanpur revenue village.
NTCA member-secretary Sanjay Kumar Pathak said on Sunday that the authority weighs all pros and cons before granting permission to capture big cats. He noted that such permission is given when big cats stay close to human habitations for a prolonged period.