Is it Jai?

Former sarpanch from Bhandara claims to have spotted a huge, radio-collared tiger on July 12; wildlife experts ask for proof that it is the missing tiger, Jai

Following the intense speculation over the missing tiger, Jai, ever since his radio collar went dead in April, some good news may finally be in the offing.

Jai patrolling his territory in Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary, where he hasn’t been seen since April 18. Pic/Amit Panaria

A former sarpanch of Chinchala village in Bhandara district claimed he spotted a huge tiger on July 12, fitted with a radio collar around its neck. But a section of conservationists have rubbished the claims and have asked for proof that the big cat was Jai.

Speaking to mid-day, Srinivas Reddy, field director and Chief Conservator of Forests at the Pench Tiger Reserve and Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary, said, “A former sarpanch of Chinchala claims to have spotted Jai on the midnight of July 12 while he was returning home from Bhandara with his family in a four-wheeler. He identified the big cat based on the radio collar around its neck and claims to have seen it for two minutes from a distance of 5 to 6 feet. The location where the tiger was spotted falls under the Bhandara territorial division in Adayal range. Authorities there are verifying the claims.”

A wildlife enthusiast, who is part of the operation to track Jai down, said, “Our team members are doing their best to track Jai, but we haven’t come across a single solid lead. When we spoke to the former sarpanch about the claims he made, he said he never told the FD that he saw Jai.”

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