Tiger that killed four people in Kumaon to be tranquilised
RUDRAPUR: A team of veterinary doctors is in camping in Fatehpur range of Nainital forest division to catch a tiger by tranquilising it after four persons, including two women, have lost their lives in attacks by the big cat.
“We have received permission from the chief wildlife warden for tranquilising the tiger responsible for two human deaths in our range. A team of three doctors have arrived to tranquilise it. They are searching for the big cat in the forest,” said KR Arya, Fatehpur forest ranger.
Forest officials said four persons have fallen prey in less than two months to the big cat in Fatehpur. Latest killing by a big cat was on Monday when Janki Devi of Paniyali village lost her life while collecting fodder in the forest. Earlier, first incident took place on December 29 when Mukesh of Damuwadhunga village in Kathgodam was killed by a big cat. Second incident happened on January 13, Nandi Sanwal of Tanad village lost her life followed by Nathu Lal of Vajuniya village on January 17 in the same range of forest.
Arya said, “Third and fourth incidents are of the same nature. Tiger is likely responsible for these incidents as pugmarks were spotted near the bodies.”
“We have installed six cages and 40 camera traps also near the spot where incident took place. A registered shooter has also confirmed the pugmarks of the tiger,” he said.
Distance of spot of the first and second incident is 3 to 4 km and third and fourth incidents took place only 1.5 km distance. Villagers have been advised not to enter forest to avert attacks by the big cat, he added.
Arya said veterinary doctors Dushyant Sharma from Corbett national park, Ayush Uniyal from Haldwani zoo and Himanshu Pangtey from Nainital zoo are camping in the range to tranquilize the big cat.