Scare ends as tiger retreats into forest

Sources said the big cat escaped even as the Forest Department personnel took efforts to capture the animal to prevent any conflict with humans.

The tiger, which hid itself in a bush on a farm land, was first noticed by two villagers on Sunday. On receiving information, the Forest Department staff from Jurhalli rushed to the spot.

Since the animal stayed put in the same spot, the foresters took efforts to capture the animal by administering a sedative shot. However, that effort was given up due to poor light and rain. Subsequently, a cage with a goat (live bait) was placed to lure the tiger around 7pm.

Several Forest Department personnel kept a vigil through the night to monitor the tiger's movement. Though the animal did not enter the cage, its footprints were traced on Monday morning.

“We tracked the footprints to around 4.5 km deep into the forest. The villagers need not panic as the animal has moved elsewhere,” said a department official.