Stray Tiger Captured in Bihar’s Bagaha After Fatal Attack on Farmer
Patna, Aug 12 (TTP) — In a swift wildlife rescue operation, the Bihar Forest Department on Tuesday captured a tiger that had strayed from the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) into residential areas of Bagaha, killing one man and injuring a forest worker.
The operation, completed within 24 hours, ended with the big cat being sedated, examined, and readied for transfer to Patna Zoo.
Timeline of Events
- Aug 11, 2025 – Farmer Mathura Mahato is killed by a tiger while working in his field in Nariya Sareh, near Ghoraghaat Khairhani village, close to the Govardhana forest area.
- Aug 12, 2025 – 7:30 a.m. – The tiger attacks and injures forest worker Vijay Oraon during tracking operations.
- Aug 12, 2025 – Morning – Forest teams use drones to locate the animal hiding in a sugarcane field.
- Aug 12, 2025 – Late Morning – The tiger is sedated with a tranquilliser gun and loaded into a rescue vehicle for medical evaluation.
The Rescue Operation
The tiger, estimated to be around 12 years old, was found to be in a weak condition, according to VTR Forest Conservator-cum-Field Director Dr. Neshamani K. Veterinary reports suggest that the animal had been unable to hunt wild prey due to age-related weakness, forcing it to venture into human settlements for food.
Officials suspect the tiger’s original range may lie in Nepal’s Madi forest, across the border from Bihar.
The rescue team included:
- DFO Vikas Ahlawat
- Ranger Satyam Kumar
- Veterinary Doctor Sanjeev Kumar
- Biologist Pankaj Ojha
They employed drone surveillance to track the tiger’s movements before setting a trap in a sugarcane field. The sedated tiger was then transported safely for a health check-up, which has now been completed.
Eyewitness and Official Statements
Local residents described the tense atmosphere before the rescue.
“We were afraid to even step outside. The tiger was roaming close to our fields,” said Ramesh Singh, a resident of Ghoraghaat Khairhani.
Forest Conservator Dr. Neshamani K confirmed the animal will be relocated soon:
“The tiger is old and unfit for wild hunting. Keeping it in a zoo environment will ensure its safety and prevent further conflict with humans.”
The Valmiki Tiger Reserve: A Biodiversity Haven
Located in West Champaran district, the Valmiki Tiger Reserve is home to an estimated 54 tigers along with leopards, deer, blackbucks, and numerous other species.
It covers a vast stretch adjoining the Indo-Nepal border and is surrounded by areas such as Manguraha and Gobardhana, which form natural corridors for wildlife movement.
Why It Matters
- Human-Wildlife Conflict – The incident highlights ongoing challenges in managing animal movements from protected reserves into populated areas.
- Cross-Border Wildlife Movement – Suspected migration from Nepal’s forests shows the transboundary nature of tiger habitats.
- Aging Wildlife Management – The tiger’s condition points to the need for improved monitoring of aging big cats to prevent fatal encounters.
Final Thoughts – TheTrendingPeople.com
The quick response of Bihar’s forest authorities averted further tragedy in Bagaha, but the event underscores the delicate balance between human settlements and India’s apex predators. As habitats overlap and tigers age beyond their hunting prime, proactive wildlife management will be key to preventing such deadly encounters in the future.
The relocation of this tiger to Patna Zoo may safeguard both human and animal lives, but it also serves as a reminder that conservation success must go hand-in-hand with conflict mitigation.