After nearly 55 days of a persistent tiger threat in Rehmankhera and neighbouring regions of Lucknow, the big cat seems to be returning to its original habitat. Experts from the forest department, along with special teams deployed to tranquillise and capture the tiger, have uncovered new evidence supporting this possibility.

As part of the capture operations, three zones were established at the Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH). However, the tiger has not approached the institute in the past four days. Instead, for the second consecutive day on Saturday, its movements were observed near Bansighari village by the Gomti River.

According to forest experts, tigers around Lucknow typically migrate from the Sitapur, Pilibhit and Lakhimpur areas, often travelling along the banks of the Gomti River, which offers an easy route. Fresh pugmarks recently spotted in Bansighari village, located near the Gomti River, suggest that the tiger might be making its way back to its natural habitat.

Prior to the discovery of these pugmarks in Bansighari, the tiger claimed its 16th prey; a calf in Bahelia village, situated just beyond Rehmankhera. To ensure the safety of both villages and with renewed efforts to capture the tiger, the forest department has deployed special teams in Bansighari and Bahelia.