Odisha wildlife wing moves NTCA to identify source habitat of tiger in Debrigarh

A wild tiger was sighted entering Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary in Bargarh district, Odisha, prompting forest authorities to track the animal and approach federal conservation officials. The wildlife wing of the forest department wrote to National Tiger Conservation Authority asking it to identify the source habitat of the tiger using camera trap evidence. Wildlife officials stated that tracking the natal origin of a dispersing tiger helps understand its movement ecology, behaviour, and territory establishment. Forest personnel spotted the male tiger entering through the Dechuan-Lakhanpur forest route, and authorities deployed about 100 camera traps and 27 teams to patrol the sanctuary. The tiger is currently exploring the core area. Wildlife officers stated that previous tiger visits occurred in the sanctuary, including a male that stayed from 2022 to 2024 before dying. Understanding past behaviour helps officials interpret present movements and anticipate conflict risks. The wildlife wing of the forest department stated in the letter, “A tiger was detected in Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary on Nov 9.”