Tiger ‘Sawli’ Captured Again in Gondia, Maharashtra
1. Incident Overview
- A four-year-old tiger named Sawli was recaptured near the District Collector’s Office, Gondia, late Saturday night.
- Forest officials confirmed Sawli’s identity through stripe pattern analysis, matching him to the tiger previously trapped near Anjaro village.
2. Rescue Operation Details
- A rescue team from Gondia Forest Division conducted the late-night operation.
- The tiger was tranquilised safely and shifted to Nagpur’s Transit Treatment Centre (TTC) for medical observation.
- Officials stated the operation was completed without any harm to either the animal or nearby residents.
3. Background of Tiger Sawli
- Sawli had been frequently sighted since February across Deori, Amgaon, and Sadak-Arjuni ranges.
- His movements were closely monitored by forest and wildlife teams using camera traps and field surveillance.
- The tiger is believed to be a healthy, free-ranging male, not displaying abnormal or conflict behavior.
4. Conservationists’ Response
- Wildlife activists and conservationists have urged authorities to release Sawli back into the wild, warning against unnecessary confinement.
- They argue that the tiger’s capture, if prolonged, could affect his natural behaviour and stress levels.
- The forest department has forwarded his medical reports to Nagpur for expert review before making a final decision on rewilding.
5. Broader Context
- Gondia district lies within a critical tiger corridor connecting Tadoba–Andhari, Nagzira–Navegaon, and Kanha landscapes.
- Such captures often raise debates over the balance between human safety and tiger conservation.
- India currently hosts around 3,167 tigers (as per 2022 census) — the highest population globally — yet habitat fragmentation remains a major threat.
Updated: Oct 17, 2025, 12:23 AM | TOI