Tiger T-3 killed 2 villagers, now in foresters' net

Chandrapur: Ending days of tension in several villages around North Brahmapuri Forest Range, the Rapid Response Team (RRT) of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve on Thursday successfully tranquillised and captured the ageing male tiger T-3, which had killed two persons and injured two others critically over the past month.

The operation was carried out under the supervision of wildlife veterinary officer Dr Ravikant Khobragade, who led the RRT. Acting on recent sightings, the team tracked the tiger to compartment no. 152 in Chichkheda beat under the Mendki round.

After an intense chase through dense shrubs on rescue vehicle, the team finally cornered the big cat. Sharpshooter Ajay Marathe darted the tiger, following which it was safely tranquillised, caged, and later shifted to the Wildlife Research and Training Centre at Gorewada, Nagpur.

Forest officials said that T-3, believed to be around 15-year-old, had become a threat to human life in the region. It was reportedly suffering from old age-related issues, including tooth loss, which likely affected its hunting abilities and turned it towards easier human targets for prey.

T-3's latest kill came on April 13 when it killed Vithobha Jambhule in Chichkged forest while he was collecting mahua flowers.

"Following a series of attacks, we had sought permission to capture the animal and had received the capture order valid until the end of this month," said Rakesh Sepat, deputy conservator of forest (DCF), Brahmapuri division. The Tadoba RRT was deployed soon after, and the team's persistent efforts paid off on Thursday afternoon, he added.

The big cat's deteriorating condition was a matter of concern for forest officials. "The tiger had aged significantly and was clearly in the final stage of its life. With worn-out teeth and poor hunting ability, it had started preying on humans," DCF Sepat speculated.

T-3's capture has brought much-needed relief to local communities that had been living in fear due to repeated tiger sightings and attacks.