Tiger returns from Bengal to Patamda region
Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, Jan 21: A tiger has made its return to the Jamshedpur area after a brief absence. The big cat, which had earlier ventured into Bengal, was spotted again on Monday in the Patamda region of Batuluka-Hambeda village. Tiger paw prints were found at three locations, prompting the Forest Department to initiate efforts to trace the animal’s movements.
This is the same tiger that was last seen roaming the Dalma area via the Tulgam-Khunti forests near Chandil, before it travelled into Bengal. The tiger now appears to be heading back toward the Dalma region. Following the discovery of the paw prints, the Forest Department has issued a warning to nearby residents, urging them to stay vigilant and avoid venturing outside after dark. A team has been deployed to monitor the situation and camp in the village for safety.
The distance between Batuluka village and the Dalma area is approximately five kilometres and authorities suspect that the tiger may be returning to the Dalma region. Paw prints were discovered near the house of Kanka Soren, around 200 meters from his residence, as well as near the homes of Yudhishthir Mahato and Bahadur Singh.
On Monday morning, local villagers noticed the paw prints and immediately informed the Forest Department. Upon arrival, the team confirmed the presence of the tiger. Yudhishthir Mahato, one of the locals, shared his experience: “I saw the paw prints in my garden and was terrified. When I informed other villagers, we found more tracks near two other homes.”
The same tiger had been reported in the nearby Vandovan forests, including Sirkha and Gangamanna, on the night of January 20, 2025. The Forest Department had confirmed the tiger’s presence in the region earlier.
A photograph of the tiger was captured on Friday night by a tracking camera at Raika Hill, located in the Purulia district of West Bengal. The West Bengal Forest Department has verified the image. The tiger had earlier passed through Dalma and eventually entered Bengal, where it reportedly killed several livestock.
“This tiger has now returned to the area and we are actively trying to track it. There are no reports of it hunting any animals as of now,” said Saba Alam Ansari, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO). The department has assured residents that they will continue to monitor the situation closely for any further developments.
