Bhubaneswar: While uncertainty loomed large on the future of ‘man-eater’ Sundari in Satkosia sanctuary after the big cat allegedly went on a killing spree, the Royal Bengal Tigress would be soon shifted to Nandankanan Zoo after being tranquilised, reports said.
In his statement to the media, Forest and Environment Minister Bijayshree Routray claimed that the man-eater would be translocated to Nandankanan Zoo.
Earlier, the forest department officials had stated that Sundari would be kept in an enclosure at Raiguda. However, local residents spread resentment as the tigress often strayed into human habitats and killed cattle.
Moreover, they alleged the Tigress of killing two persons including a woman and injuring many others including a journalist of a media channel. This spread tension as the panicked locals demanded the translocation of the tigress.
Following severe tension, rumours did round that the animal would be translocated back to its home at Bandhavgarh Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh from where it was brought. However, the statement of Minister suggests that the tigress would be shifted to Nandankanan Zoo in Bhubaneswar.
“Locals are in panic after the tigress allegedly killed two persons. So, keeping in view the safety of both locals and the tigress, we have decided to shift it to Nandankanan. There is no more need to panic. It will be shifted as soon as it is tranquilised,” Minister RoutRay said.
It may be noted here that the forest department is engaged to capture the tigress since the last five days. However, the tigress is giving a hard time to the officials. Moreover, a team from MP are also engaged to tranquilise the tigress.
PNN