A file photo of forest personnel carrying out combing operations to capture the tiger responsible for a number of attacks in Sargur taluk.
Combing operations are continuing in the Sargur and H.D. Kote belts despite the capture of a male tiger suspected to be behind the recent attacks that left three farmers dead, triggering panic among villagers living along the forest fringes.
Sources said that the search operations will remain in place until it is scientifically confirmed that the captured tiger was responsible for the attacks on humans and livestock. The tiger was reportedly trapped just a few kilometres away from Hale Heggudilu village, where the latest fatal attack occurred on Friday.
The captured animal has been shifted to the Chamundi Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Koorgalli on the outskirts of Mysuru, where it is under treatment and observation. The tiger, said to be around 12 to 13 years old, may later be moved to the rescue facility in Bannerghatta near Bengaluru, considering the space constraints at the centre.
Deputy Conservator of Forests (Mysuru Wildlife Division) Prabhu Gowda said that combing teams will continue patrolling vulnerable forest fringes until DNA test results confirm the captured tiger’s involvement. “Hair samples found on the victims will be matched with the DNA of the captured tiger. We can be sure whether this is the same animal involved in the recent attacks only after the test reports arrive,” he said.
The DNA testing will be carried out either at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) or the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), and the results may take some time to arrive.
Soon after Friday’s attack, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre had ordered the closure of Bandipur and Nagarahole safaris and also the suspension of trekking activities in conflict zones. He had also directed for the deployment of forest staff from the safaris for combing operations which was stepped up following the spate of attacks.
Published – November 09, 2025 08:56 pm IST
