Alipurduar,, Nov. 10 -- The Forest department has intensified its operation to prevent Buxa tigress BTR TF-1 from crossing into Assam after she escaped from the open enclosure at 25 Mile by digging a tunnel. Forest personnel have formed a human cordon to restrict her movement and steer her towards the main forest territory of Buxa Tiger Reserve.
The tigress is believed to be hiding in a dense forest near Bajekhola, close to Chunia Jhora Tea Estate. With the Sankosh River, which separates Buxa from Assam's Raimona Tiger Reserve, nearby, 60 specially trained personnel have been divided into 14 teams to monitor her movements.
Three kumki elephants - Bharat, Sarathi and Vittala - were already deployed. Three more, Kunjaresh, Darshan and Shaili, have been brought from Jaldapara National Park. Another 110 forest personnel are conducting round-the-clock patrols. Radio-collar signals suggest that the tigress is following the same route she had taken earlier while moving towards Raimona. The operation is focused on the Chunia Beat forest to prevent her from crossing the Sankosh and guide her westwards.
Meanwhile, senior Buxa officials are in constant touch with the Assam Forest department.
Sonali Ghosh, APCCF, Assam, said: "Wild animals cannot be confined by artificial boundaries or fences. Nevertheless, West Bengal Forest Department officials are making every possible effort. We, too, are prepared to deal with any eventuality."
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.