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Key Points

The Bihar Forest Department successfully captured a tiger that killed a farmer near Valmiki Tiger Reserve. The 12-year-old big cat was found weak and unable to hunt in the wild. Officials used drones and tranquilizers to safely sedate and transport the animal. The tiger will now be relocated to Patna Zoo after medical examinations.

Key Points: Bihar Forest Dept Captures Tiger After Farmer's Death in Bagaha

  • Tiger captured after killing farmer Mathura Mahato in Bagaha
  • Rescue team used drones and tranquilizers in 24-hour operation
  • Weak 12-year-old tiger likely strayed from Nepal’s Madi forest
  • Animal to be shifted to Patna Zoo after health check-up
2 min read

Bihar: Tiger captured in Bagaha after farmer's death; to be shifted to Patna zoo

A 12-year-old tiger that killed a farmer near Valmiki Tiger Reserve has been captured and will be shifted to Patna Zoo after medical examination.

"The tiger was found in a weak condition, unable to hunt wild prey due to age. – Dr. Neshamani K, VTR Field Director"

Patna, Aug 12

The Bihar Forest Department on Tuesday captured a tiger that had strayed from the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) into residential areas of Bagaha, killing a farmer a day earlier, and injuring a forest tracker.

The operation, completed within 24 hours, involved sedating the big cat and transporting it safely for medical examination before its planned transfer to Patna Zoo.

The tiger had attacked and killed farmer Mathura Mahato while he was working in his field in Nariya Sareh near Ghoraghaat Khairhani village, adjacent to the Govardhana forest area of VTR Forest Division-1.

During the rescue mission, forest worker Vijay Oraon was injured in a tiger attack on Tuesday.

VTR Forest Conservator-cum-Field Director Dr. Neshamani K said the tiger, estimated to be around 12 years old, was found in a weak condition.

Veterinary checks suggest it had been unable to hunt wild prey due to age and weakness, forcing it into human settlements.

Officials believe its original habitat is in Nepal’s Madi forest.

The rescue team — including DFO Vikas Ahlawat, Ranger Satyam Kumar, Veterinary Doctor Sanjeev Kumar, and Biologist Pankaj Ojha — tracked the tiger’s movements using drone cameras.

A trap was laid in a sugarcane field, and the animal was sedated with a tranquilliser gun at around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, before being loaded into a rescue vehicle.

The tiger’s health check-up has been completed, and it will soon be shifted to Patna Zoo.

The Valmikinagar Tiger Reserve (VTR) and surrounding areas, including Manguraha and Gobardhana, are considered as natural habitat of wildlife animals.

As per the official figures, 54 tigers have been residing in VTR.

Located in the Bagaha subdivision of West Champaran district, the Valmikinagar Tiger Reserve is renowned for its rich biodiversity.

It serves as a natural habitat for iconic species such as tigers, leopards, deer, blackbucks, and many others.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Why are we keeping old tigers in zoos? This poor animal was just trying to survive. Shouldn't we have better wildlife corridors between India and Nepal to prevent such incidents?
A
Aman W
My uncle lives near Bagaha. This is becoming common now - tigers coming into villages. Government should compensate farmers properly and improve forest boundaries. Jai Hind!
S
Sarah B
As a wildlife enthusiast, I appreciate the quick response. But I wonder - is a zoo the best place for a wild tiger? Maybe a sanctuary would be better where it can live more naturally.
V
Vikram M
Salute to the forest workers who risked their lives! Vijay Oraon is a hero. The government must provide him proper medical treatment and compensation. These frontline workers deserve more recognition.
N
Nisha Z
This is heartbreaking on both sides. The poor farmer just trying to earn his livelihood, and the tiger just following its instincts. We need better wildlife management policies in Bihar.

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