Day after capturing mother tigress, forest department intensifies operation to nab four missing cubs

Mysuru

A day after capturing the eight-year-old tigress that had terrorised residents in and around Nanjanadevanapura village of Chamarajanagar taluk near Veeranapura Lake, forest department officials have intensified their operation to trace and capture her four cubs, which have been missing since Saturday.Although residents of villages surrounding Nanjanadevanapura heaved a sigh of relief following the capture of the tigress—who had remained elusive for over 20 days after attacking and killing livestock—fear continues to grip the area as her four cubs are yet to be located.

The forest department has continued its operation across the surrounding villages to nab the missing cubs. Officials have placed the captured mother tigress and the carcass of cattle inside the cage near Veeranapura Lake, where she was trapped on Friday, in the hope of luring the cubs. Meat bait has also been placed in the cage as part of the operation.

As the search continues, the Deputy Conservator of Forests of the BRT Tiger Reserve, B.S. Sripathy, has advised residents of Nanjanadevanapura and the surrounding Veeranapura Lake area to remain indoors during night hours. Villagers have been asked to use torchlights if stepping out to agricultural fields at night, avoid moving in groups, and remain calm.

“The forest department has intensified the operation to capture the four cubs by placing the mother tigress along with meat bait inside the cage,” Mr. Sripathy told NT. He added that camera traps installed in the area are being monitored regularly as part of the ongoing efforts.