Elusive Royal Bengal Tiger Likely Still in Buxa Reserve, Officials Confirm

• West Bengal forest authorities believe the male Royal Bengal Tiger spotted in Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR) a month ago is still within the reserve.
• The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) confirmed the tiger's stripe pattern does not match previously recorded tigers in BTR or those from Assam's Manas National Park or Bhutan's forested landscape.
• This newly sighted tiger's photograph has been archived in the national database to help trace its origin.
• West Bengal Forest Minister Birbaha Hansda stated that spotting a third big cat in BTR is an encouraging sign for developing it into another tiger habitat.
• Habitat augmentation measures, including village relocation, are planned to establish a resident tiger population in Buxa.