The tiger may have moved from Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary to Painganga Wildlife Sanctuary in Yavatmal, then into Nanded district in Marathwada, followed by Latur, Yedshi Ramaling in Dharashiv, and finally Barshi taluka in Solapur. Over the past five months, it has been observed intermittently entering Solapur and returning to Dharashiv
Representation Pic
Fresh pugmarks believed to be those of a tiger have been spotted near Ausa, close to Latur — around 100 km from Bhoom in Dharashiv district, Maharashtra. The discovery has prompted speculation among forest officials about whether the tiger that journeyed from Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Yavatmal to Dharashiv and Solapur has now begun its return. While efforts are underway to obtain visual confirmation, officials are confident that the pugmarks are indeed from a tiger, not a leopard.
A forest department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “Around 10 days ago, we came across the pugmarks of a big cat in Ausa taluka near Latur. The photographs were sent to experts, who confirmed that the prints belong to an adult tiger, not a leopard. We believe the tiger that was in Bhoom, Dharashiv, has travelled over 100 km and reached Ausa. The department is collecting further evidence of its presence, and camera traps have been installed. However, it’s unclear whether the tiger will remain in the area, move elsewhere, or head back toward Tipeshwar.”
Sources also informed
mid-day that the tiger has been preying on cattle in the area. Tiger movements in Maharashtra are being closely monitored as part of a long-term research initiative — a collaboration between the Maharashtra Forest Department and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). Since December 12, 2024, forest staff have been tracking this tiger with assistance from Pune-based RESQ Charitable Trust. Experts suggest that the dispersing male may be searching for a suitable habitat to establish a permanent territory.
Possible travel route
The tiger may have moved from Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary to Painganga Wildlife Sanctuary in Yavatmal, then into Nanded district in Marathwada, followed by Latur, Yedshi Ramaling in Dharashiv, and finally Barshi taluka in Solapur. Over the past five months, it has been observed intermittently entering Solapur and returning to Dharashiv. In the last week of June, it may have travelled roughly 100 km to reach Ausa. A cub of tigress T22, this tiger was born in 2022 and is now over 2.5 years old.
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