In Brief
- The Journey: Released at West Bengal's Buxa Tiger Reserve on October 2, 2026, tigress 'BT1' crossed administrative boundaries into Raimona National Park in Assam's Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).
- Human-Wildlife Safety: From October 23 onward, the radio-collared tigress moved through Kokrajhar district, approaching human habitations and prompting emergency intervention to protect local residents and the big cat.
- Inter-State Coordination: Forest teams from West Bengal and Assam, supported by local police, district administrations, and community volunteers, executed the joint capture.
- Current Status: The tigress was confirmed to be in good health and has been safely transported back to West Bengal's Buxa Tiger Reserve for observation.
Successful Rescue Operation Prevents Human-Wildlife Conflict
A multi-agency rescue operation culminated on Tuesday night, November 3, 2026, with the safe tranquilization and capture of Royal Bengal Tigress 'BT1' in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) of Assam.
The tigress, originally relocated from Bihar and released into the wild at West Bengal's Buxa Tiger Reserve on October 2, embarked on a long-distance dispersal journey. Navigating across the Sankosh River and crossing state borders, 'BT1' logged over 100 kilometers before reaching Raimona National Park.
Radio-Collar Tracking and Joint Intervention
From October 23 onward, ground monitoring teams continuously tracked 'BT1' via her radio collar as she moved through forested areas in Kokrajhar district. When the tigress began moving south toward populated village areas, raising concerns over potential conflict, authorities secured clearance from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to capture her.
Forest officials from both states, alongside local law enforcement and community members, established a secure perimeter to safely capture the animal without injury.
High Praise for Conservation Cooperation
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Environment and Forest Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah commended the seamless inter-state teamwork. "Wildlife does not recognize administrative boundaries, and incidents like these remind us why cooperation between states is so important for conservation," Sarma noted in a public statement.
West Bengal Forest Minister Manoj Oraon confirmed that veterinary doctors examined 'BT1' following her capture and declared her healthy and active.
Next Steps
The tigress has been transported back to West Bengal and released into a specialized soft-release enclosure at Buxa Tiger Reserve. Veterinary teams will monitor her health, feeding, and acclimatization before determining long-term release protocols.
