Relief at last! Elusive Tiger prowling near Lucknow’s Rehmankhera captured after 91 days

The tiger had been prowling around Rehmankhera since early November 2024, causing fear among locals.₹90 lakh spent on capture, and authorities deployed specialised teams, search gear and elephant squads in a costly 91-day operation.While the tiger didn’t attack humans, it preyed on 25 cattle in the region.The notorious tiger that had been roaming in the Rehmankhera area and neighbouring regions of Lucknow for the past 91 days, was finally captured on Wednesday. A team of wildlife experts from Bengaluru successfully tranquillised and secured the tiger, after extensive efforts by the Forest Department.According to officials, the captured tiger is a healthy male, weighing 230 kg and is estimated to be 3-4 years old. The prolonged efforts to track and capture the big cat cost the Forest Department approximately ₹90 lakh. A 100-member team, locals and two elephants had been working relentlessly to trap the animal, as well.Sedated but defiant! Tiger resisted capture after first tranquiliser dartOn Wednesday morning, officials discovered fresh pugmarks in the Zone 2 of the forest near ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture. To track its movements, forest officials deployed advanced thermal cameras and drones for real-time monitoring. As per reports, later in the evening, the tiger was spotted returning to its previous kill site. A containment perimeter was quickly established, and a tranquilliser dart was fired. The animal initially reacted aggressively and moved further into the forest, requiring a second dart. Within a short time, the tiger was successfully sedated and safely secured.Major relief for residents of Lucknow and 12 neighbouring villagesThe tiger's prolonged presence had caused significant distress among residents in the 12 affected villages, totalling a population of over 50 lakh. Many locals had abandoned their homes, seeking refuge with relatives due to safety concerns. With the tiger now secured, the residents of Rehmankhera and other areas near Lucknow, can finally breathe a sigh of relief after months of uncertainty and fear. To find out more about the tiger's sightings, read the article below. Tale of the tiger’s trail: Timeline of sightings in Lucknow suburbs, capture attempts & more!