Tiger sighting in West Champaran triggers panic | Patna News – Times of India
Patna: Panic spread across villages in Chanpatia block of West Champaran district following sighting of tiger footprints in paddy fields on Wednesday, prompting the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) and forest department to form a 30-member rescue team to locate the big cat.
According to forest officials, a two-and-a-half-year-old Royal Bengal tiger entered the locality after crossing Virha river on Wednesday.
The VTR rescue team, led by DFO Praduman Gaurav of Bettiah Forest Division, told this newspaper on Thursday that the location of the adult tiger was being tracked by the 30-member team (15 members each working in two shifts) round-the-clock. “It has come a long way southward after crossing the Virha river, which originates in Manpur. Now after crossing the Sikarhana river, it is heading back towards the jungle.”
Gaurav said they are monitoring the tiger’s location with the help of thermal drones. “As per our estimation, it will take three to four nights for the tiger to reach the jungle. We are tracking its footprints. The nearby residential locations have been cordoned off with nets and white cloth to ensure the safety of the local residents.”
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