Amravati tigress that killed four captured after days-long forest operation

A tigress that had killed four people in parts of Amravati and Wardha districts was tranquillised and captured on Monday by a special forest department team in Shirjagaon Kasba in Chandur Bazar taluka, an official said.

Officials said the animal had moved from Ashti taluka in Wardha and, over the past 20 days, attacked livestock and people in Varud, Morshi and Chandur Bazar talukas. After two deaths within 24 hours from September 6, the forest department launched a high-alert search operation.

Amravati Deputy Conservator of Forests (Regional) Arjuna K R said the tigress had been on the move across the area. A release by the District Information Office in Amravati said the tigress had killed four people.

"Rambhau Bhoyar (74) of Narsingpur, Wardha was killed on August 17, Charandas Ikhe (55) of Bhambora, Morshi on August 27, Urmila Ivne (18) resident of Sonori in Chandur Bazar, on September 6 and Dinesh Aware (45) of Shirjagaon Kasba, Chandur Bazar on September 7," it said.

The release said people in the region were agitated after the two deaths in 24 hours, prompting round-the-clock patrols, camera traps, thermal drones and public awareness drives.

"The district administration and police maintained security to prevent law and order problems. The tigress was safely rendered unconscious using technical measures, averting further danger to the area," it said.

The forest department has provided immediate financial assistance to the families of the deceased, the release said. Staff from the Amravati and Wardha forest divisions, the Melghat tiger project, the Akola forest department, a team from Pune, the district administration, police, honorary wildlife guards and NGOs took part in the operation, it added, bringing to a close the search launched to prevent further attacks.