30 camera traps installed in Bonai forest division to capture ‘tiger' presence
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Rourkela: Following reports of a possible tiger's presence in Sundargarh, wildlife officials have strategically installed 30 camera traps at Jarda and Sole forest ranges in the district's Bonai forest division.
"Given the animal's movement pattern, we anticipate its entry into the adjacent Bonai forest division in the district," Lalit Kumar Patra, divisional forest officer of Bonai forest division, said on Wednesday.
Last week, pugmarks were spotted near Ujalpur forest range in Sundargarh forest division, prompting wildlife officials to initiate a thorough investigation, suspecting the presence of a tiger in the vicinity.
Earlier, Chhattisgarh forest department had alerted its counterparts in Odisha about a suspected tiger's presence at Lephripada in Sundargarh forest division, which had possibly come from Gomarda wildlife sanctuary in Raigarh.
It was speculated that the tiger might have moved to Athkosia reserve forest in Ujalpur forest range.
In response, the wildlife wing issued an advisory to the Sundargarh forest division, urging the installation of camera traps at various locations to monitor the suspected big cat.
Camera traps were subsequently set up in Lephripada range and Athkosia reserve forest, with an alert issued to locals. Residents were advised to avoid entering the forest and refrain from leaving their cattle and goats unattended. Forest officials have intensified patrolling efforts in Lephripada and Ujalpur forest ranges.
The tiger's presence was further suspected when pugmarks were spotted in Sadar forest range on Aug 15, following an attack on a cow.
Despite the installation of camera traps and increased patrolling by forest officials in Sadar and Bamra forest divisions, the animal could not be captured on camera. Reports suggest that the animal then moved to Bagdih forest range in Jharsuguda forest division.
The suspected tiger reportedly travelled 150km in five days, reaching the Kholbilung section under Bamra forest division in Sambalpur district. Pugmarks near a pond in Kholbilung village confirmed the presence of a Royal Bengal tiger. Though camera traps were installed in strategic locations, the tiger is yet to be captured on film.
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