Villagers in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, breathed a sigh of relief as a tiger terrorising the area was finally caught after three months.

Forest officials managed to capture the wild animal weighing 230kg on March 5 after the tiger spent three months preying on cattle in the area.

It took two tranquilliser darts to subdue the agitated tiger before it was transported to the Bakshi Ka Talab range office for medical examination and treatment.

A clip at the end of the footage shows the tiger being released into the wild.

After a tense three-month period of fear and chaos, a four-year-old male tiger prowling Rehmankheda was successfully tranquilized and rescued by the forest officials.

The incident occurred in Rehmankheda village, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Northern India, on March 5.

The visuals show forest department personnel carrying the approximately 230 kg tiger from the forest on a wooden stretcher, struggling to transport it to a waiting truck. The sheer weight of the animal required several people to lift it, making for a chaotic but well-coordinated effort. In the darkness of the night, torchlights flickered, casting eerie shadows as officials and villagers strained to get a final glimpse of the beast. After a grueling effort, the tiger was finally hoisted onto the truck, marking the end of a tense and dramatic rescue operation.

Speaking to Newslions Media, Sitanshu Pandey, Divisional Forest Officer, stated that the tiger's presence was first detected in early December 2024, when villagers reported missing livestock and sightings of the big cat near their settlements. Over the next several weeks, the tiger preyed on various animals, including nilgai and cattle, heightening fears among residents. Despite numerous attempts by the forest department to capture it, the tiger managed to evade traps and tranquilizer darts, showcasing its cunningness and adaptability. The tiger’s presence was finally noticed when its fresh paw marks were found in Zone 2, confirming its presence, leading to the setup of AI thermal sensor cameras and drones that detected the tiger returning to a recent kill site in Zone 2 of the forest.

A wildlife specialist from Bengaluru was brought to the site to monitor the tiger’s movements. The first tranquilizer dart was deployed, but the tiger remained conscious, got aggressive, roared, and attempted to flee, prompting officials to follow it for about 500 meters before administering a second dart. The tiger then lost consciousness, allowing the team to secure and transport it to the Bakshi Ka Talab range office for medical examination and treatment.

This successful rescue operation was achieved without any human casualties, highlighting the dedication and coordination of the forest department personnel. Forest Minister Arun Kumar Saxena commended the team for their efforts under the guidance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.