Madikeri: Forest officials from the Kodagu division rescued a tiger near Besaguru village on Tuesday. The animal, estimated to be around six years old, is believed to have strayed from the Kallahalla forest range in the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve.The tiger was suspected to have killed cattle in and around Besaguru. After receiving approval to capture it, forest teams launched an operation that lasted six hours. Three thermal drones were deployed, supported by more than 80 staff members and two camp elephants, Bheema and Mahendra.
The tiger was eventually tranquillised by Ranjan, with assistance from veterinarians Dr Ramesh and Dr Mujeeb. Officials said camera traps installed in Jan had already recorded the animal’s movement, helping identify it as the same tiger that had wandered out of the Kallahalla range.During the rescue operation, the team noticed injuries on the tiger’s leg, which may have forced it out of the core forest area in search of easier prey, said Virajpet DCF Jagannath.The animal was given first aid and later shifted to the Bannerghatta Animal Rescue Centre in Bengaluru.
