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Straying of adult tiger in Lalgarh forest 'concerning': WAP

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Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Mar 05 2018 | 9:45 PM IST
The incident of an adult tiger straying into the Lalgarh forest of West Bengal's West Midnapore district is "concerning", an animal protection body said, asking authorities to handle rescue operations "sensitively".
Four images of a full grown adult tiger were captured by one of the cameras installed in the Lalgarh forest even as officials today said they are trying to capture the big cat.
The World Animal Protection (WAP) also said that giving out the location of where the tiger was photographed violated guidelines issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
"This situation in Lalgarh is very concerning. We are hearing reports in the press, and also from the West Bengal forest department a tiger had been photographed by a camera trap in the area.
"Our concern is obviously for the safety and well being of the animal, which clearly is in some distress as it is out of the safety of its natural environment. Our concern is also for members of the public," Wildlife Projects Manager, WAP, Shubhobroto Ghosh, said in a statement.
The organisation said that giving out the location of the tiger's photograph violates guidelines of the 'Photography of Tigers' issued by the NTCA in June last year.

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"This course of action subsequently led to several media personnel visiting the area and allegedly disturbing the process of trapping the tiger safely," Ghosh said.
The WAP said that there were some discussion that the tiger would be taken to a rescue centre in Jharkhali.
"If possible the animal should be returned to the wild and not to the stressful confines of captivity," he said.
Noting that media reports also suggested that the tiger might be rehabilitated in the Sunderbans, the body said this is a different natural landscape for it and might prove "difficult and stressful" for the animal.
"Reports that elephants had broken camera traps in the area due to the presence of media and overexcited onlookers taking selfies are also of concern. Wild animals being disturbed by a large number of people will be extremely distressing to them.
"Rescue operations must be handled sensitively and with care and consideration to the animals in the natural environment," Ghosh said.

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First Published: Mar 05 2018 | 9:45 PM IST

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