After a day filled with anxiety and tension, residents of Deulbari in Kultali block in South 24 Parganas finally found relief as a tiger that had strayed into their farmland was successfully captured by the forest department late Saturday night. According to local sources, the drama unfolded early Saturday morning when villagers spotted fresh pugmarks on their farmland.
The sighting immediately sparked panic among the locals, who feared for their safety and that of their livestock. The area, being close to the Sundarban’s forest and the river, has witnessed similar incidents in the past, as tigers from the delta region occasionally swim across and stray into human habitats.
On receiving information, forest department officials promptly rushed to the spot. After examining the pugmarks, they suspected the possible direction from which the tiger had entered the village. The team then took swift action— surrounding the area with safety nets and setting up a cage to trap the animal. Goats were used as bait to lure the predator.
Late at night, the forest officials were alerted by the distressed cries of the goats. On reaching the spot, they discovered that the tiger had walked into the trap.
"Keeping public safety as our top priority, we secured the area with nets and used bait to lure the tiger," said a forest official, adding, “Around midnight, we heard goat noises and rushed to the cage. We were relieved to find the tiger safely trapped. It will be taken to Jharkhali for medical examination and monitoring before being released back into the Sundarbans."
This recurring man-animal conflict has become a familiar concern for the villagers of Deulbari. However, with the tiger safely captured, the villagers can now return to their daily lives with a sense of security— at least for the time being.
“Such incidents have occurred before, but it’s always frightening,” said a resident. “We’re thankful to the forest department for their quick and efficient action.”
The tiger is expected to be released back into its natural habitat after all necessary checks are conducted, ensuring both animal welfare and public safety.
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