Mysore/Mysuru: Villagers near Hadanuru in Saragur taluk were gripped by fear after a tiger was spotted in broad daylight on Friday. In a swift, night-long operation, Forest officials captured the animal & relocated it to Bannerghatta Rehabilitation Centre in Bengaluru.

The tiger, which had reportedly been attacking cattle in villages across the Hediyala range of Bandipur Tiger Reserve for the past 15 days, was sighted in farmland at Hadanuru on Friday morning. Acting on alerts from villagers, Forest staff tracked its movements through the day.

By evening, Veterinarian Dr. Ramesh joined the team and a combing operation was launched. Around 9 pm, the tiger was located in a plantation, where it was darted with a tranquilliser from a jeep. Within minutes, animal was immobilised and secured in a cage.

Officials said, the tiger is a female, estimated to be around 11 to 12 years old. With worn-down teeth and reduced hunting ability, it is believed to have strayed from the forest and turned to livestock for food.

The operation was led by Bandipur Tiger Reserve Director S. Prabhakaran, with senior Forest staff coordinating the rescue.