KOKRAJHAR, November 3: A tigress from West Bengal’s Buxa Tiger Reserve, which had crossed into Assam and reached the Raimona forest area in Kokrajhar district, was rescued on Tuesday evening and taken back to West Bengal through a green corridor.
The rescue operation was carried out jointly by the forest departments of Assam and West Bengal. The tigress was tranquilised at around 5 pm after an operation that lasted nearly three hours.
Three trained kunki elephants and a JCB machine were used during the operation. Forest personnel and wildlife experts worked together to locate and safely capture the animal.
West Bengal Forest Minister Manoj Kumar Oraon was present during the operation. Two officials from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), along with forest officials from both states, also took part in the rescue effort.
Following the rescue, the tigress underwent a health examination. Officials confirmed that the animal was healthy and safe. She was subsequently taken back to Buxa Tiger Reserve through a green corridor.
The tigress, aged around three years, had earlier been captured in Bihar’s Valmiki Tiger Reserve on September 29. She was airlifted by an Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter to Hasimara Air Force Station in West Bengal on September 30.
After a health check-up, she was transported to Buxa Tiger Reserve and released into the forest on October 2.
However, after her release, the tigress travelled more than 100 km, crossed the Sankosh River and entered Assam. She eventually reached the Raimona forest area in Kokrajhar district, prompting the forest departments of the two states to coordinate efforts for her safe rescue and return.
The joint operation marks the end of the tigress’s unusual journey across state boundaries.
