Second Alleged Man-Eating Tiger Captured In UP's Lakhimpur Kheri After Four Human Deaths In A Month

Forest authorities in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh have captured a tigress, believed to be behind the recent killings of humans in Khairatiya area.

The tigress, aged around nine years old was captured in a cage trap on the border of Katarniaghat and Singahi range of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve on Wednesday night.

"During physical examination, the tigress was found to be nine years old. Her physical condition and age were enough to establish her to have caused the recent human casualties in the Khairatiya region. Her left canines were broken and damaged due to which she may be unable to hunt properly and this made her attack humans," Field director (Dudhwa Tiger Reserve) Sanjay Pathak said.

BCCL/ Representational Image

Divisional forest officer (DFO), Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Akash Deep Badhawan said most probably the tigress would be sent to Gorakhpur Zoo as the Lucknow Zoo is full to its capacity.

More than one man-eating tiger?

This is the second big cat to be captured by the Forest officials from the area this week on suspicion of being a man-eater.

On Monday night another tigress, which is 6-7 years old was captured from the area.

It is still unclear if the first tigress which was found to be in good health is a man-eater.

BCCL/ Representational Image

Tigers turn into man-eaters when they fail to kill wild prey due to any deformity or injury like broken canines, injured paws and old age.

The tigress which was captured on Wednesday night is said to be the same which was seen on camera traps moving with her cubs.

Forest officials said that some other big cats had been noticed in the area and recorded on cameras also and the operation would continue till the entire area was freed of big cat-terror.

"The operation will be suspended only after being assured that there is no longer a threat to human population due to tigers," Pathank said.

Tiger on a human killing spree

Four humans were killed by tigers in the area in June alone and another two in May, triggering panic among locals.

BCCL/ Representational Image

According to locals, some 21 people have been killed in tiger attacks in the area since 2020.

However, the recent attacks were unprecedented- since June 18, four deaths were caused in the Khairatia area close to Manjhra Purab forests.

A 52-year-old local priest, Suraj Singh, 14, Nagendra Singh, 33, and Mindo Kaur, 43, were killed by the tigress, which locals say was on a human killing spree.

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