Search operation on to spot tiger that travelled 500 km, and more
Two-and-a-half-year-old tiger travelled 500 km from Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Yavatmal to Solapur-Dharashiv districts
PUNE: A two-and-a-half-year-old tiger that travelled an unprecedented 500 kilometres from Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Yavatmal to Solapur-Dharashiv districts has gone missing since a week, prompting the forest department to launch an extensive search operation for the big cat.
The tiger, which entered Dharashiv district in December 2024, was the first-of-its-kind to be sighted in the region in the past many years. Since then, it had been roaming the border areas of Solapur and Dharashiv, primarily within the Yedshi Ramaling Wildlife Sanctuary. Following the tiger’s sighting in Solapur-Dharashiv, the principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF), wildlife division, Maharashtra, ordered its capture and subsequent relocation to Sahyadri Tiger Reserve latest by February 28 this year. However, the tiger’s capture was delayed and by March 20, it had gone missing, forest department officials said on Wednesday.
According to some field experts, the tiger may have died by electrocution however the forest department has not confirmed this claim. Over 30 camera traps have been set up and a thermal drone survey has been planned to aid the search. The tiger is still to be radio collared.
Kishor Pol, district dorest officer, Dharashiv, said, “The tiger has gone missing, but there is no evidence of its death. There have been no recent reports of pugmarks or cattle killings but we believe it is still within the sanctuary, likely near a water source. We have increased camera traps over the past two days and will conduct a thermal drone survey tonight.”
Since December, the tiger has killed nearly 50 cattle and compensation has been provided to the affected farmers as per the guidelines. However, Pol said that no recent complaints have been received and dismissed claims that the farmers are agitated by the tiger’s presence.
Neha Panchamia, founder-president, RESQ Charitable Trust, highlighted the unusual nature of the disappearance. “This is the longest that the tiger has gone missing since its arrival in Dharashiv. Previously, when it remained out of sight for a few days, we still found traces like pugmarks or cattle kills. This time, there is nothing. However, without confirmation, it is too early to conclude that the tiger has died. The search operation has intensified with increased patrolling and camera tracking.”
An expert working in the field, speaking anonymously, suggested that electrocution is a strong possibility. “The sanctuary is surrounded by vast agricultural fields and the tiger was occasionally seen wandering in search of prey. This area has a high-voltage power network, making electrocution a significant threat to wildlife. The tiger may have died due to electrocution, but this has not been officially reported.”
Another possibility is that the tiger is spending time deep in the ravine of the sanctuary to escape the rising temperatures. Yet another possibility is that it retraced its route back though experts find this unlikely, as some trace—such as pugmarks—would have been found.
Explaining the challenges, Panchamia said, “The tiger mostly stays in dense forested areas near water streams, where human presence is minimal. The rugged terrain makes darting and relocating it difficult. We are proceeding cautiously to avoid alarming the tiger. If it feels unsafe, it might move to another location which could put it in greater danger.”
