The male tiger captured in the early hours of Thursday at a village close to the Gundlupet buffer zone area of the Bandipur Tiger Reserve.

| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

A four-year-old male tiger was captured by a Forest Department team in the early hours of Thursday from a barren land at Bommalapura village, near the Bandipur Tiger Reserve. The big cat is healthy and has been safely shifted to Bandipur, where it is being closely monitored by a team of veterinarians.The capture has brought immense relief to villagers and farmers living around the Gundlupet buffer zone of the tiger reserve, who had been living in fear following sightings of the tiger and incidents of livestock attacks.Tiger sighting was reported in Bommalapura, K.K. Hundi, Shivapura, Kodasoge, Hullepura, Devapura and surrounding villages, triggering panic among the local population.Acting on the complaints, the Forest Department installed camera traps in the area, through which the animal was identified as Bandipur-26 (GPS). After several attempts over the past few days, forest officials captured the tiger on Thursday.The operation was led by Deputy Conservator of Forests S. Prabhakaran under the guidance of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Bengaluru, and the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Bengaluru. The Gundlupet taluk administration and the Police Department extended support during the operation.According to a note issued by the Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF), Gundlupet, the tiger was shifted safely to Bandipur under veterinary supervision, and the authorities are awaiting further instructions regarding its future management.Meanwhile, villagers have been advised to clear overgrown shrubs and weeds in their uncultivated fields, as such vegetation could serve as hiding places for wild animals. The Forest Department has written to the authorities concerned, urging them to act on its request to remove thick bushes and shrubs in vulnerable areas. Published - December 18, 2025 08:17 pm IST