Introduction
In a dramatic wildlife rescue operation in Karnataka, a tigress implicated in a farmer’s death has been safely captured, reunited with her young cubs, and relocated to a more secure and suitable habitat in Mullur near the Bandipur Tiger Reserve. This incident highlights the delicate balance between human-wildlife conflict and conservation, and raises important questions about coexistence, responsibility, and financial support for rescue operations.
What Happened: The Incident & Capture
On October 26, a farmer named Rajashekhar was killed in Mullur (Saraguru taluk) while entering a marshy area near his tomato farm.
Forest officials conducted an intensive, 20-day search operation involving drones, trained elephants, and ground teams.
Eventually, they located the tigress and successfully darted and captured her at dawn.
Reuniting with Cubs & Relocation
The tigress is believed to be 8–10 years old, and officials estimate she had five cubs, around 35–45 days old.
Two cubs were rescued early during the operation, and three more were found later and brought to safety.
After a thorough medical examination, where her canines and claws were found intact, wildlife authorities decided to relocate her — rather than send her to a rescue centre.
Her cubs, deemed “very young and healthy,” were reunited with her and released into a conducive habitat in Mullur.
According to Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) P.C. Rai, only animals that are injured, very old, or ill are placed in rescue centres; in this case, relocation was more appropriate.
Human-Wildlife Conflict & Response
Forest officials have clarified that this tigress cannot be labelled a habitual man-eater, as this appears to have been a “circumstantial” attack triggered by her instinct to protect her cubs.
The operation underscores the rising tension in regions around the Bandipur Tiger Reserve, particularly in fringe villages like Mullur.
The forest department’s use of thermal drones, elephants, and coordinated ground teams demonstrates a carefully planned containment strategy.
Why Relocation Matters
Relocating the tigress and her cubs to Mullur serves dual goals: public safety and wildlife conservation.
By placing her in a “conducive habitat,” the forest department ensures she and her cubs have space and resources to thrive without posing an immediate threat to human settlements.
This approach helps reinforce the idea that conflict need not lead to lethal outcomes if wildlife management is handled sensitively and proactively.
Why This News Is Trending & Google-worthy
The combination of human tragedy, wildlife rescue, family reunification (tigress + cubs), and scientific relocation makes this a compelling, emotionally resonant story.
Media outlets including The New Indian Express and Star of Mysore have covered the event in depth.
The unusual nature of capturing a tigress with her young cubs — and then relocating rather than caging her — is exceptional, sparking public interest and widespread discussion.
For SEO, this story touches on high-volume themes: “tiger attack,” “human-wildlife conflict,” “Bandipur Tiger Reserve,” “tiger relocation,” and more — all likely to generate strong search traction.
FAQ
Q1: Why was the tigress relocated and not kept in a rescue centre?
A1: According to forest officials, she was healthy (canines, claws intact) and not injured or old. Relocation to a suitable wild habitat avoids long-term captivity and supports her natural behavior.
Q2: How many cubs did she have, and what is their condition?
A2: She had five cubs. They were very young (around 35–45 days), and officials assessed them to be healthy before reuniting them with their mother.
Q3: How did the forest department capture her safely?
A3: The operation used thermal drones, trained elephants, and a coordinated ground team. They finally darted her at dawn when she was in a more open area.
Q4: Was the attack on the farmer a deliberate act or accident?
A4: Officials suggest it was accidental — the farmer entered an area close to her cubs, and the tigress, acting on maternal instinct, attacked.
source credit : Bosky Khanna
Published on : 23th November
Published by : RAHAMATH
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