Sambalpur: Much to the joy of wildlife lovers and forest department, a Royal Bengal Tiger (RBT) has been sighted at Debrigarh sanctuary in Sambalpur district, official said on Saturday.
The big cat seems to have entered the sanctuary on December 1, a video footage of which is in the possession of the forest department, said Ansupranja Das, DFO, Hirakud Wildlife Division.
It is yet to be confirmed whether the wild animal was born in the forest or it has sneaked into the sanctuary from neighboring Chhattisgarh.
“The tiger entered the forest through Debrigarh safari zone. Forest department staff deployed at the safari zone had captured the video of the big cat roaming in the jungle. Origin of the tiger will be ascertained in next few days,” the DFO informed.
However, the forest officials expressed pleasure over the development and started measures for the protection of the big cat.
The department has pressed in a 12-member team of wildlife experts comprising two groups to keep a close watch on the movement of the animal. The team is working round the clock, Das added.
Only one tiger has been sighted in the video. Wildlife officials suspect more such animals in the sanctuary. The forest authorities have taken it as a mission to protect the tigers and grow their population.
More CCTV cameras have been installed at various key locations in and outside the forest. Tourists have been barred to enter the forest without permission. As the forest area is infested with Maoists, the department has taken every step cautiously.
As many as 100 CCTV cameras have been installed. People residing in the vicinity have been alerted, the DFO said.
Sources said that a tiger had been seen in the same forest in 2018 for the last time.
