Forest officials in Andhra Pradesh have stepped up operations to capture a tiger that has kept residents of East Godavari district on edge for the past five days. Authorities traced the animal’s movement on Wednesday night near Ankalammathalli Konda, close to a cashew plantation in the Satellite City area of Rajamahendravaram. The sighting prompted immediate action from senior forest and wildlife officials.
High-Level Monitoring and Coordination
State Principal Chief Conservator of Forests P.V. Chalapathi Rao is personally overseeing the operation. Senior officials, including CCF BNN Murthy, DFO Prabhakar Rao, FRO Daviduraju Naidu, NTCA officer Rajashekar, and anesthetist Dr. Phanindra, remain on constant alert. The team continues to coordinate every step to ensure public safety while protecting the animal.
Advanced Technology Used to Track Tigers
Officials deployed thermal drone cameras to track the tiger during nighttime hours. These drones operate silently and detect movement in all types of terrain. The cameras also help assess the tiger’s body heat, which improves accuracy during tracking. Forest teams prepared six different tranquilliser injections and readied a trap cage as a precaution.
A wildlife rescue team from Papikondalu National Park has also joined the mission. The ten-member team specialises in identifying animal movement patterns and physical signs left behind by wild cats.
Tight Security in Affected Areas
Police have restricted public movement in areas where the tiger has been spotted. Under the leadership of DSP T.V.R.K. Kumar, fourteen reserve police personnel are guarding sensitive zones. Their presence ensures that civilians stay away from danger zones during the operation.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority team, led by Rajashekar, is focusing on relocating the tiger without causing harm. Authorities plan to safely capture the animal and release it deep inside forest territory. For this task, a specialised 20-member expert team from Delhi and Pune is expected to arrive soon.
Medical Team Explains Risks of Tranquillizing a Tiger
Dr Phanindra explained that tranquillising a tiger requires extreme caution. He estimated the animal’s weight at nearly 200 kilograms. The team will load three to five millilitres of sedative into a dart gun. The drug takes about twenty minutes to take effect.
During this time, water bodies must remain far away to prevent accidents. If the sedative reacts unexpectedly, the tiger may turn aggressive. Officials have already planned escape routes for such situations. Experts also warned against tranquillising the animal at night or from elevated locations.
Forest authorities remain confident that the operation will conclude safely while protecting both residents and wildlife.
For the latest updates, click here.
