Giant cage helps forest officials capture man-eater tiger T-122

Maharashtra forest officials captured man-eater tiger T-122 in Chandrapur district using a specially designed giant cage. The tiger was linked to the deaths of three shepherds, an attack on another person and the killing of 23 livestock animals

Kumram Bheem Asifabad: A man-eater tiger, T-122, was finally captured in the forests of Chandrapur district, bringing relief to residents of forest-fringe villages on Saturday.

Forest officials said they trapped the tiger using a specially designed giant cage in the forests of Sawali taluka. Measuring 30 by 30 feet, the cage was built on an experimental basis to lure the tiger.

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The tiger, which had killed three shepherds and injured another person in recent weeks, had triggered panic among villagers in Vyahad, Samda, Nilsani, Pedagaon and Sonapur. It had been evading the rescue team. Attempts to tranquilise it were unsuccessful, prompting officials to use the cage. Residents heaved a sigh of relief following the tiger’s capture.

According to officials, the cage was designed to make it easier for tigers to enter. Once installed, it requires comparatively less manpower than traditional cages. It also reduces the need for staff to remain in the forest, thereby minimising disturbance to tigers.

The tiger had mauled Hirman Sakhare of Samda to death on August 1 and killed Vasudev Wakudkar of Nilsani and Hemanth Bhurse on September 16 and 21, respectively. It had also attacked Namdeo Kukudkar on August 26. In addition, it had killed 23 livestock animals over the past few weeks, necessitating its capture.

Earlier in August, the Maharashtra Forest Department ordered the capture of the tiger following recommendations from a committee constituted in the wake of consecutive human fatalities. The committee recommended that the tiger be captured permanently with the assistance of an expert team.