West Bengal tigress rescued in Assam after 100 km journey
The Royal Bengal tigress, BT1, was captured in Assam's Kokrajhar district after approaching human settlements.
A Royal Bengal tigress, identified as BT1 and popularly known as ‘Duwar Rani’, was captured in Assam's Kokrajhar district on Tuesday night, according to reports by Rediff and Times Now. The tigress, which originated from West Bengal's Buxa Tiger Reserve, had travelled over 100 km into Assam's Raimona National Park in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).
The rescue was a coordinated effort between the forest departments of West Bengal and Assam, involving the district administration, police, and local communities. Officials used three trained elephants and between three and five JCB machines to secure the animal during a three-hour operation near Dotma. The tigress was tranquilised and transported back to West Bengal.
Assam Environment and Forest Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said the tigress was released into the wild at Buxa on October 2. While she initially moved through forested landscapes, she began approaching human settlements in Kokrajhar from October 23. Minister Baruah described the rescue as a commendable example of inter-state coordination.
West Bengal Forest Minister Manoj Oraon stated that the department initially allowed the tigress to move freely, expecting her to return to Buxa through the Raimona or Bhutan forest corridor. However, authorities decided to launch the rescue after the animal moved closer to human habitations over the last two to three days. The department obtained necessary clearance from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for the operation.
The tigress's movements were monitored via a radio collar, and officials reported she is in good health. BT1 had previously been brought to Buxa from Bihar's Valmiki Tiger Reserve to help rebuild the tiger population in the reserve.