Adilabad: Forest officials in Chandrapur, Maharashtra, are working to capture Johnny, a tiger that has killed multiple people near the Maharashtra-Telangana border.
The tiger recently killed an elderly woman and a middle-aged man in Rajura, Chandrapur. In November, it attacked and killed Morle Laxmi, 21, in Gannaram, Kagaznagar mandal, Telangana, and injured Rauthu Suresh, 35, in Dubbaguda, Sirpur (T) mandal. Its activity has created panic in border villages of both states.
Johnny, believed to be six years old, has been moving extensively in the Chandrapur district, home to the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, and frequently crosses into Telangana in search of habitat and mates. October to March, the mating season for tigers, often prompts such long-distance movements.
Efforts to tranquillise and capture Johnny are underway, supervised by veterinary expert Dr Kobra Ghade. However, capturing the tiger requires a long process, including obtaining permission from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
The tiger reportedly spent 20 days roaming Nirmal district, Telangana, before moving to the Utnoor area and later returning to Maharashtra. It continues to frequent Itikalpahad, Hudkili, and Cheelapelli in the Kagaznagar Forest Division.
Sources indicate that Johny mated with a female tiger, S-11, at Itikalpahad but avoided another, K-8, due to disturbances in the forest, prompting its return to Maharashtra.
The Maharashtra forest department is closely monitoring Johny’s movements and issuing alerts to villagers, noting the tiger’s aggressive behaviour. Officials remain cautious as the tiger’s continued presence poses risks to human lives and livestock. Residents have been urged to stay vigilant while authorities expedite the capture process to ensure safety.
