Mysuru, 30 Nov

Two days after a tigress was tranquilised and captured near Gowdanakatte village on the fringes of the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, Hunsur forest officials rescued her four cubs early on Sunday, bringing relief to anxious residents. 

The tigress, aged around 10–12 years, had been frequently spotted outside the forest boundary over the past week, triggering panic after two farmers narrowly escaped an attack. Forest authorities intensified searchoperations following repeated sightings in Varanchi, Hosavaranchi, Kalenahalli and Gowdanakatte villages.

The tigress was captured from a maize field on 28 November, as she reportedly returned to check on her cubs. Officials believe she may be the same big cat suspected of fatally mauling a two-year-old boy two years ago. After securing the mother, the department continued combing operations to trace the cubs.

On Sunday morning, a specialised task force, supported by four elephants, located the six-month-old cubs hiding in fields on the village outskirts. The team used nets to safely capture them within an hour. The cubs were given primary veterinary care and shifted to a rehabilitation facility, where they were later reunited with the tigress.

Forest officials said the successful operation has eased tensions in the cluster of affected villages.