Forest dept trap cameras capture fresh images of stray tiger in Purulia

Kolkata: The strategic laying of trap cameras in and around the Raikha hills in Purulia bordering Jharkhand by the Forest department have captured fresh images of a tiger early on Sunday.

Later in the afternoon, foresters found its trail towards Jharkhand where it presumably came from. The foresters found evidence of wild boars being killed by the tiger inside Raika-Bhararia hills on Saturday but the tiger remained elusive.

Pugmarks on Sunday revealed the big cat’s presence in and around Raikha hills and its subsequent crossing of the Bandwan-Kuilipal road towards Ankro village along Manbazar-Bandwan Road where pugmarks were spotted near a potato field.

“We have placed 45 trap cameras, five trap cages and are operating a thermal drone for identifying the location of the big cat. About 150 search personnel and 125 staff are engaged round-the-clock to capture the tiger at Raikha hill side,” said Singaram Kulandaivel, chief conservator of forest (Central).

About 12 teams are presently on the task and three tranquilising teams are ready with darts to fire and capture the tiger in case of any emergent situation. Sources said, as per its pugmarks at Ghatihuli forest, the tiger was approximately 2-3 kilometres from Jharkhand on Sunday afternoon.

Earlier, Odisha tigress Zeenat had followed a similar route in Purulia before entering adjoining Bankura district from Gopalpur. But later, foresters found pugmarks of the big cat near Jamunagorah village beneath Raika hills, indicating its return. Later, camera-trapped images were also found near Raika hills.

Zeenat was tranquilised by the state Forest department in Bankura and handed over to the authorities of Simlipal Tiger Reserve where she originally came from.