Biswanath, Assam | September 17, 2026
A juvenile Royal Bengal tiger that wandered into a village near Kaziranga National Park was successfully rescued on Thursday after a carefully coordinated operation by the Assam Forest Department.
The young tiger was found at Notungaon, near Biswanath Ghat, on the fringes of the Sixth Addition to Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. Officials suspect that it may have become separated from its mother.
Tiger spotted in village bushes
The incident began in the morning when villagers noticed the tiger hiding in bushes close to their homes.
Forest personnel, assisted by the police and civil administration, immediately cordoned off the area and moved residents away to prevent a potentially dangerous encounter.
Rather than rushing to capture the animal, officials initially maintained a watch for several hours, hoping its mother would return and reclaim it.
However, no other tiger was spotted during the monitoring period.
Rescued without tranquilisation
With the chances of an immediate reunion diminishing, the Forest Department decided to rescue the juvenile.
The team strategically positioned nets to guide the tiger towards a trap cage. After a prolonged wait, the animal entered the cage and was safely secured.
Importantly, the rescue was completed without tranquilising the tiger. Officials avoided chemical immobilisation because of its young age.
The juvenile is now under observation and receiving veterinary care.
Reunion with mother remains the priority
Forest officials have indicated that the next course of action will depend on the tiger’s health and behaviour.
If conditions permit, efforts will be made to reunite it with its mother in Kaziranga’s Sixth Addition and return it to its natural habitat.
The authorities have not yet confirmed whether the mother has been located or when a reunion might be attempted.
Villagers praised for cooperation
The Forest Department thanked local residents for maintaining restraint and cooperating with the rescue team.
Their willingness to stay away from the animal helped officials conduct the operation without exposing either the tiger or villagers to unnecessary danger.
The incident also highlights the importance of Kaziranga’s Sixth Addition, which extends protected habitat and supports wildlife movement across the landscape.
For the rescued juvenile, the immediate danger is over. The next challenge is helping it return safely to the wild—and, if possible, to its mother.
Source credit: India Today NE, September 17, 2026.
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