Mysuru/Chamarajanagar: Karnataka foresters have adopted a conventional method of trapping two tiger cubs near the BRT Tiger Reserve after rescuing a tigress and her two cubs about 10 days back. The remaining two cubs continued to remain elusive due to the presence of elephants used in the operation.Since the tigress was sighted along with four cubs near Nanjedevanapura village, in Chamarajanagar taluk near the BRT Tiger Reserve, created panic among residents. Two cubs were rescued using tamed elephants. As the remaining two cubs remained elusive because of the presence of elephants used for the rescue operation, the rescue operation was suspended. Instead, trap cages were placed to rescue the 10-month-old cubs, which appeared healthy.Villagers reported frequent sightings of the tigress and her cubs close to human habitation, and said they lived in fear for about a month. In response, foresters reached the village, interacted with residents, and conducted meetings aimed at confidence building and improving coordination between the community and department.According to officials, the intervention led to the rescue of the tigress and two of her cubs. However, two cubs remained untraced, and teams have continued search and capture operations in the surrounding areas. The remaining cubs were believed to be moving through fringe areas that included agricultural fields, scrub patches, and forest edges, making tracking difficult and increasing the risk of further encounters with people and livestock.MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary deputy conservator of forests B Bhaskar, who is in-charge director of BRT Tiger Reserve, TOI that ban orders were imposed in Nanjedevanapura and Veeranapura villages as efforts were made to rescue the remaining two cubs, as a precaution. Public announcements were made using loudspeakers in these two villages, asking residents to exercise caution while going out, and meetings were conducted to create awareness about wildlife.“As the cubs are showing signs of panic and changing places, the rescue operation using elephants has been suspended, but its movements are being monitored after placing trap cages,” he stated.
