A sub-adult tiger that had been linked to the fatal attack on a villager last month died during a second tranquillisation and recapture operation in the Palsagaon forest range of the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) buffer in Chandrapur district, Maharashtra, on 14 July. The incident occurred while forest officials were attempting to capture the animal after it returned to human-dominated areas despite an earlier relocation.

Background

The tiger, identified as T-202F S2, fatally attacked Shri Shidame, a resident of Chorgaon village, on 28 June 2026. Following the incident, the TATR Rapid Response Team captured the animal on 4 July and released it into the reserve’s core area in accordance with standard wildlife management protocols.

However, officials said the tiger failed to establish itself in the core forest. It reportedly made no recorded kills of wild prey and soon moved back into the human-dominated Palsagaon range. Forest teams continuously monitored its movements for the next three days as concerns grew over the safety of nearby villages.

Recapture Operation

With the tiger repeatedly returning to inhabited areas, the forest department decided to recapture it using bait. The tranquillisation operation was carried out between 3:45 pm and 4:00 pm on Tuesday.

After being successfully darted, the tiger reportedly walked nearly 150 metres into the forest before collapsing unconscious in a small stream. Standard operating procedures require rescue teams to wait about 20 minutes after darting before approaching a sedated tiger. However, after hearing splashing sounds, the team rushed to the animal within approximately 10 minutes and pulled it out of the water.

Rescue Efforts Failed

Veterinary personnel immediately administered revival drugs and emergency medication and also attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Despite these efforts, the tiger could not be revived.

According to sources cited in the report, the tiger is believed to have drowned after collapsing into the stream while under the effects of the tranquilliser. A detailed post-mortem examination is expected to determine the exact cause of death.

Conservation Significance

The incident has raised concerns about the risks associated with tranquillisation and recapture operations, particularly when sedated animals move into hazardous terrain before becoming fully immobilised. It also highlights the challenges of managing conflict-prone tigers that fail to adapt after relocation, underscoring the need for meticulous planning, rapid response, and strict adherence to wildlife capture protocols.

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