Three-Month-Old Tiger Cub Rescued from Village Near Kaziranga, Released into Wild
The cub was rescued from Natugaon village after being found entangled in agricultural and fishing nets; efforts to reunite it with its mother followed.
BISWANATH- A tiger cub estimated to be around three months old was rescued from a kitchen garden in Natugaon village of Assam’s Biswanath district after its forelimbs became entangled in agricultural and fishing nets.
The cub was found on the morning of September 17, following which concerned residents alerted the authorities. A coordinated rescue operation was carried out by the Forest Department, police, district administration and the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI).
The rescue team suspected that the young tiger may have become separated from its mother because of strong river currents. The team secured the area and surveyed nearby riverine islands in an attempt to locate an adult tigress, but no evidence of the mother was found.
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The cub was carefully guided into a transportation crate and taken to the Central Range Office for veterinary observation. According to Dr. C. Ramesh, Field Director, KNP & TR, chemical immobilisation was not used because of the animal’s young age.
A team comprising Dr. Subhasish Arandhra, Ecologist, WTI; Dr. Deepak Sarma, veterinarian; and frontline forest staff subsequently surveyed nearby riverine islands upstream for evidence of tiger or juvenile pugmarks.
Based on information indicating that a tigress with cubs had recently been present in the area, authorities decided to attempt a reunion. The effort was led by Dr. Panjit Basumatary of WTI’s Centre for Bear Rehabilitation and Conservation (CBRC).
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The cub was transported by mechanised country boat to an upstream riverine island in the Murkhuwa and Bhawani area. The team continued providing food and hydration while a camera trap was installed at the release site to determine whether an adult tigress was present.
The following day, on the advice of Ritu Paban Borah, DFO, Biswanath Wildlife Division, a drone survey was conducted to assess the site and surrounding area. The cub was still present, while rising river levels created a risk that the cage and surrounding area could be submerged.
According to Nayan Jyoti Gogoi, AFS, Assistant Conservator of Forests, Biswanath Wildlife Division, the tiger was therefore moved to a more secure location that allowed distant monitoring as well as access for health checks and supplementary feeding. The location was selected after assessing the surrounding habitat and likely tiger movement routes.
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On September 19, the tiger was reported to have moved out of the cage on its own. The Forest Department has continued monitoring the area and deployed camera traps around the release site.
Dr. Basumatary said pugmark evidence was found on September 23, around 200 metres from the release crate, although there has not yet been a confirmed camera-trap image of the cub. Monitoring is expected to continue over the coming weeks.
The rescue operation highlights the challenges involved in managing young wildlife found close to human habitation, particularly in riverine landscapes where changing water levels can affect animal movement and habitat.
The Wildlife Trust of India, established in 1998, works on conservation of endangered species and threatened habitats in partnership with communities and governments.
