Chandrapur: The tiger captured on New Year's Eve in the Virur forest range of Central Chanda Forest Division has been confirmed to be the one responsible for two human fatalities in the area, according to a report from the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad. The same tiger was also linked to a human kill in Telangana near the Maharashtra border, as per forensic findings shared by Shirpur range authorities in Telangana.
Assistant conservator of forests (ACF) Pawan Kumar Jong stated that a joint meeting between forest officials of the Central Chanda Forest Division and their Telangana counterparts was held to exchange details about the tiger's involvement in these incidents. The tiger will remain in the custody of the Maharashtra forest department at the Transit Treatment Centre in Chandrapur, where it is under observation.
The captured male tiger, a transient from Telangana, had been tranquilised and caged on December 31 after frequent sightings raised alarm among villagers. Its capture has brought relief to the local community, which had been living in fear following the attacks.
Meanwhile, a female tiger previously observed crossing from the Shirpur range in Telangana into Maharashtra has not been sighted for the past two weeks. ACF Jong informed that both states are maintaining a close watch on the territory and have agreed to exchange information if the tigress re-enters Maharashtra.
The forest departments of both states have reiterated their commitment to coordinated efforts in monitoring tiger movement and ensuring public safety.