Tale of the tiger’s trail: Timeline of sightings in Lucknow suburbs, capture attempts & more!

Villages in Kakori and Malihabad districts, on the outskirts of Lucknow, have been living under the constant threat of a tiger that has been on the loose for over a month. The adult tiger has been preying on livestock across various regions, causing significant distress among the residents.

After the initial discovery of pugmarks, the Forest Department quickly launched vigilance operations. These efforts confirmed the presence of the tiger, which was later captured on multiple camera traps in the area by mid-December.

Currently, the Forest Department, in collaboration with experts from the Wildlife Trust of India, is conducting regular search operations. Cages and traps have been set up in the affected areas in hopes of capturing the animal. However, despite these extensive efforts, the tiger has managed to evade trapping on several occasions.

Here’s a detailed timeline outlining the tiger’s movements and the Forest Department’s ongoing efforts to track and capture the animal:

Tiger activity was suspected in the forests of Rehmankhera in Lucknow’s Kakori region. On Tuesday morning, December 3, paw prints resembling those of a tiger were discovered in a field near the HP petrol pump on Hardoi Road.

A Forest Department team inspected the site and suggested that the tracks might belong to a tiger, though no confirmation was made. The discovery heightened urgency in ongoing search efforts and intensified concerns among local residents.

Previously, speculation about a tiger’s presence in Rehmankhera had been fueled by multiple reports from farmers claiming to hear wild animal sounds at various times. However, no concrete evidence was found until December 3. Following the discovery, the Forest Department alerted villagers to exercise caution and refrain from venturing outdoors during late hours.

For the first time, an adult tiger was finally captured on a camera trap which was installed in Gurudeen Khera Village. The image confirmed the presence of a male adult tiger and caused widespread panic across a 20-kilometer radius. In response, the Forest Department deployed three teams to trace the tiger, set up 15 trap cameras to monitor its movements, and placed two capture cages at strategic locations.

The presence of the tiger had been suspected after it killed a blue bull (nilgai) on December 13, raising fears among locals. On December 16, the tiger killed a second blue bull, escalating the situation. In light of these developments, the Forest Department intensified its efforts, including attempts to locate the tiger using thermal drones, in hopes of capturing it.

Following numerous recent sightings of the tiger captured on trap cameras, the Forest Department ramped up its efforts to capture the wild cat that had been prowling the forests of Rehmankhera in Lucknow.

Between December 3 and 22, pugmarks were found multiple times across various villages, including Mandauli, Rehmankheda, and Meethenagar, as well as in nearby forest regions. Additionally, the tiger had hunted two blue bulls, one on December 13 and another on December 16, further instilling fear among the locals. As the situation escalated in the area, the Forest Department not only heightened vigilance but also prepared to tranquilize the wild cat.

On December 22, fresh pugmarks were discovered near the ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture in Rehmankhera. Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Dr. Sitanshu Pandey indicated that the pugmarks suggested the tiger was likely confined to the vicinity of the ICAR institute.

In response, a high watchtower was constructed in the fourth block of the ICAR-Central Institute to monitor the tiger’s movements. Additionally, a dedicated team of forest officials, along with a tranquillizer expert and a veterinarian, was stationed around the clock to ensure swift action if necessary.

After over two weeks of unsuccessful attempts to capture the tiger in Rehmankheda, the Forest Department brought in elephants, Sulochana and Dyna, from the Dudhwa National Park to assist during the operation. These elephants, adept at navigating dense bushes, were deployed to simplify tranquilization efforts. Despite a combing operation until 4 PM, the tiger remained elusive.

Earlier in the morning, the team, accompanied by members of the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and other experts, conducted a search behind the Rehmankhera Institute, moving towards Meethe Nagar village. During this operation, fresh tiger pugmarks were discovered near a shrine, pond, and drain.

Cow’s carcass found in Mandauli
Later in the day, villagers in Mandauli, located a few kilometers from Meethenagar, found the carcass of a cow that had been attacked by the tiger. The incident heightened fears in nearby communities, prompting locals to increase precautions to protect their cattle.

The Forest Department's team in Lucknow faced another setback on Monday, January 6, in their ongoing efforts to capture the tiger. A buffalo calf had been tethered near a cage trap to lure the animal, but the tiger attacked and killed the calf early in the morning, marking its tenth kill. However, trap cameras placed near the cage successfully captured images of the tiger.

Since December 14, the Forest Department, supported by tranquillizer experts and veterinarians, had been intensively tracking the tiger. However, despite several close encounters the team was unable to capture the wild cat. In response, experts revised their strategy, setting up a new trap at a different location, incorporating a special 'honey trap,' and playing the sound of a tigress to attract the animal.

Currently, the Forest Department is digging pits and installing high-tech cameras and tracking systems in areas with the most tiger footprints. The pits will be camouflaged with bushes, allowing officials to capture the tiger if it moves through the area, as per a report by Dainik Bhaskar.

As per the latest update, DFO Sitanshu Pandey has stated that efforts to rescue the tiger are intensifying, with combing operations supported by two elephants and the sound of a tigress to lure the animal:

• After fresh pugmarks were discovered in the fourth block of the ICAR institute, combing operations were intensified using elephants Sulochana and Diana.

• The Forest Department team is continuing its search within the institute's premises, with the Rehmankhera area being divided into three zones for better management and monitoring.

• Veterinarians and tranquillizer experts are regularly stationed at watchtowers alongside the team. Two additional traps have been set up: one along the Meethenagar village route and the other near the railway tracks.

• Honey traps have been strategically placed in Meethe Nagar, Ulrapur and Dugauli Khurd, while locals are being urged to exercise extreme caution.

Following several unsuccessful attempts and the escalation of the situation last month, Dr. Arun Kumar, UP State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Independent Charge), has called for immediate action to capture the tiger.