Bantala: Forest officials Friday had a sleepless night after the Royal Bengal Tiger (RBT) brought from Kanha National Park of Madhya Pradesh suddenly went missing at about 11 pm, a report said.
However, they heaved a sigh of relief after it was traced in the wee hours of Saturday, after six hours of frantic search, it was learnt.
The tiger was released from the enclosure set up inside Satkosia sanctuary in Angul district at about 2 pm Friday. Three teams, boarding as many vehicles equipped with antennas, were deployed in nearby areas to monitor its movement. As the tiger was observed moving from Raigoda to Nuakheta, the team members alerted Nuakheta villagers not to go near the forest.
The tiger could be traced by the antennas fitted with the vehicles which were connected with the radio collar attached to its neck through satellite link. However, it suddenly went missing at 11 pm. The officials couldn’t trace the animals despite their best efforts throughout the night. They were in panic fearing the presence of poachers in the forest.
It could finally be tracked at about 5 am near Raigoda border, much to the relief of the forest officials.
Meanwhile, officials of five forest ranges – Raigoda, Pumpasar, Purinakote, Tikarpada and Jilinda have been asked to remain alert. Each range has also been directed to deploy at least 10 personnel from their range every week on rotation to keep track on the movement of the tiger.
When contacted, Satkosia divisional forest officer refused to divulge details on the tiger.
In the meantime, the tigress brought from Bandhavgarh National Park of Madhya Pradesh last night preyed a 50 kg deer that was left in the enclosure. She consumed half of it and is likely to finish the remaining part Saturday, it was learnt.
The tigress would be released in the wild after four days, informed sources in the forest department.
PNN
