Tigress Straying Close To Settlements Captured In Talodhi Range

Chandrapur: Bringing relief to anxious villagers, the forest department on Saturday captured a young tigress that had been straying into farms and approaching human settlements for the past 15 days in the Talodhi range of the Brahmapuri forest division.The tigress, identified as T-139 SAF and estimated to be about 20 months old, was trapped at 11.35am in compartment number 168 of the reserved forest area at Mouza Balapur. Officials said the animal had frequently moved near Balapur and Yenoli Kot villages, reportedly preying on livestock.Acting under the guidance of deputy conservator of forests Kumaraswamy SR, a coordinated team of territorial and wildlife officials tracked the tigress's movement before launching the operation. Veterinary officer Dr Ravikant Khobragade supervised the sedation, while Ajay Marathe fired the tranquillising dart. Members of the Rapid Response Team from the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve assisted in the effort.Officials said the big cat has been kept in confinement pending a decision by senior authorities on her future.