Tiger Found Trapped in Farm Near Nagarahole Buffer Zone in Hunsur After Weeks of Sightings

A tiger was found trapped in a cage set by the Forest Department at a farm near Tattekere in Hunsur taluk, close to the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve buffer zone, after weeks of repeated sightings and reported livestock attacks in the region.

According to officials, the cage had been installed around 15 days ago at the farmland belonging to former Hunsur MLA H.P. Manjunath after villagers raised concerns over frequent movement of a tiger in the area. The animal is believed to have entered the trap on Wednesday.

Residents said the tiger had been spotted regularly over the past month in the forest-farm interface near Nagarahole, creating fear among villagers living on the fringes. The situation escalated after reports that the animal had attacked and killed livestock a week ago.

To monitor its movement, the Forest Department had deployed around 10 CCTV cameras across the area. Based on surveillance inputs and consistent sightings, officials later placed the cage at a location frequently visited by the animal.

Forest officials said the captured tiger will be subjected to a medical examination by veterinarians before any further action is taken. The next course of action will be decided in consultation with senior forest department authorities.

However, villagers have claimed that more than one tiger may be present in the area. They said while one animal has been captured, another could still be roaming in the surrounding forest and farmland zone, and urged authorities to continue surveillance.

Forest department personnel visited the site following the capture and are overseeing the situation. Officials are expected to issue a detailed report after medical evaluation and further assessment.

The incident highlights ongoing human-wildlife conflict in areas bordering the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, where shrinking forest edges and expanding agricultural activity continue to bring wild animals closer to human settlements.