Wildlife / Royal Bengal Tiger Walks into Village House In Odisha's Karanjia; Rescued Later by Forest Dept

Baripada, Sep 25: A Royal Bengal Tiger was rescued from a house in Khaparkhai village under Thakurmunda Forest Range of the Karanjia Forest Division in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district on Friday, a day after the big cat was first spotted in the area.

According to a source, the tiger had entered the house of a villager, identified as Jogendra Gagrai, prompting forest officials to secure the premises and closely monitor the animal.

Forest personnel closed the doors and kept watch while a rescue team reached the spot and began efforts to safely capture the tiger. Nets were laid as part of the operation.

RCCF and the Karanjia DFO, along with a veterinary doctor and other forest officials, were present at the site during the rescue operation.

A large crowd gathered in the area after news of the tiger spread, prompting forest officials to maintain vigilance around the site.

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Tiger Spotted Near Village House a Day Earlier

The tiger was first spotted on Thursday in Khaparkhai village. Locals reportedly saw the animal hiding near the house of Tuke Ho.

The sighting triggered panic among villagers, who alerted the Forest Department after noticing the tiger's presence in the darkness. Residents used torchlights to keep an eye on the animal, while photographs showed its distinctive body stripes.

Following the alert, Thakurmunda Range Officer Umakanta Behera, Forester Bidyadhar Mahanta and other forest personnel reached the village and monitored the situation.

The Forest Department had advised residents not to venture out alone at night, keep cattle in secure places and cooperate with forest officials.

The subsequent movement of the tiger into a village house led to the rescue operation on Friday morning.