To effectively monitor the man-eater's movements, 100 camera traps, 25 GSM cameras, and two drones are being utilised.
The Bandipur Tiger Reserve has pressed Elephant Task Force in to action to capture the elusive tiger in Nanjangud area since 26 November. (supplied)
In the serene landscapes of Karnataka’s Nanjanagudu area, a palpable tension lingers as authorities and local communities are scrambling to capture an elusive man-eating tiger for at least the last 48 hours.
The tranquillity of the surroundings was shattered on 25 November when Ratnamma Venkataiah, a resident of the Ballurhundi village, fell victim to the tiger while grazing her cattle on the outskirts of the village.
Despite the concerted efforts of the Department of Forest’s multiple teams, equipped with cutting-edge technology and aided by the keen instincts of task force personnel and local staff including tribals, the predator has managed to evade capture for the past 48 hours.
Meanwhile, the tiger continued to attack cattle in the region. The forest officials are hopeful of capturing the predator in the next 24 hours as they have placed themselves around the border area.
The unfolding saga encompasses a series of events — from the discovery of fresh pugmarks to snapshots in camera traps to the tiger’s unnerving proximity to human settlements — underscoring the gravity of the situation.
As the relentless search operation continues, the community remains on edge, hoping for a resolution to this gripping saga of human-animal conflict in the ecologically rich Bandipur Tiger Reserve region in the Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka.
In response to the fatal attack on Ratnamma Venkataiah, the Bandipur Tiger Reserve and Mysuru’s forest personnel initiated a comprehensive tiger capture operation on 25 November.
There was the immediate formation of multiple teams dedicated to tracking and capturing the tiger by the Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR).
Bandipur Tiger Reserve officials are using drone to ascertain the movement of elusive tiger. (supplied)
BTR Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) Ramesh Kumar P told South First: “To ensure the effective monitoring of the tiger’s movements, 100 camera traps and 25 GSM cameras, where real-time tracking can be done, have been strategically placed and two drones are being utilised, capturing a photograph of the elusive predator.”
The CCF added: “Subsequently, four teams were swiftly deployed to different locations within the Ballurhundi village and surrounding areas, with the search operation continuing tirelessly for the past 48 hours.”
He continued: “The operation witnessed the collaboration of Mysuru’s Leopard Task Force (40 forest personnel) and Hunsur’s Elephant Task Force (40 personnel).”
He added: “Special Task Force (STF), local staff, and tribals have also been roped in for the operation, utilising departmental elephants and drones to track the tiger.”
The CCF said: “A breakthrough came on 26 November when fresh pugmarks were discovered around 11.45 am, leading the team to inspect where the tiger had killed cattle near Solar Shed at Kalanamunty.”
He added: “In response to this discovery, more camera traps were installed to observe the tiger’s movements, and a specialised team of departmental veterinary officers and staff were assigned the task. These officers were instructed to tranquilise the tiger upon visual confirmation.”
Despite a subsequent incident involving another tiger killing cattle near the Omkara and Hediala border zone at Karekandi, the operation remained focused and determined, he added.
A total of 207 forest officers and staff, along with an additional 100 tribal staff, are actively participating in the tiger capture operation. The Bandipur Tiger Reserve has also implemented a Wildlife Sanctioned Alert Message System.
“Messages have been disseminated to villages where the movement of wild animals has been detected, emphasising the collaborative and comprehensive approach taken to address the pressing situation,” detailed Ramesh Kumar.
According to the forest officials: “Around 25 tribals each from the Venkatagiri, Vadeyanapura, Naganapura, and Doranakatte colonies have been roped into this operation to trace the tiger.”
The forest officials also arranged for trap cages from Tumakuru and those locally available to catch the predator, they added.
On the latest developments pertaining to the operation, the CCF pointed out: “It has come to our notice that the same tiger killed two more cattle in the region. We have also found fresh pugmarks.”
“He added: “Even photos of the predator have been captured in the camera traps set up in different areas. Based on the latest pugmarks and photographs, we are confident of capturing the elusive tiger in the next 24 hours.”
He also said that the victim Ratnamma was entitled to get ₹15 lakh compensation from the state government. She is survived by four children, including three married women.
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