Royal Bengal tigress captured in Assam after 100 km journey
The three-year-old tigress, originally from West Bengal's Buxa Tiger Reserve, was tranquilised near Raimona National Park on Tuesday.
A Royal Bengal tigress, identified as BT1, was tranquilised near Raimona National Park in Assam on Tuesday, according to reports from Rediff, Hindustan Times and Deccan Herald. The tigress, which had travelled over 100 km from West Bengal's Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR), was captured near Rajendrapur village and a village near Dotma town in Kokrajhar district around 5 pm to 5.30 pm.
The three-year-old animal was originally translocated from Bihar's Valmiki Tiger Reserve and released into Buxa on October 2. After entering Assam on October 23, she crossed the Sankosh River and moved 25–30 km deep into Raimona National Park. Authorities monitored her movements using a radio collar and trail cameras.
Assam Forest and Climate Change Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said the capture was a coordinated effort involving forest teams from West Bengal and the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), alongside police and local communities. West Bengal Forest Minister Manoj Oraon stated the tigress was in good health and that officials had initially allowed her to move freely, expecting her to return to Buxa through natural corridors.
The rescue operation was conducted after the tigress approached human settlements in Kokrajhar. Officials obtained necessary clearance from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) before the intervention. Forest personnel used elephants and earthmovers to assist in the capture.
The tigress is being brought back to Buxa Tiger Reserve. Officials stated that the state's chief wildlife warden will decide when she will be released in BTR again.