Tiger escapes from Nandankanan zoo in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: A tiger, captured a month ago after it ventured into the Nandankanan Zoo here, has escaped from an enclosure with 18-feet-high wire. The six-year-old male tiger which had entered the zoo on April 28, escaped last night after being moved to the enclosure from the tiger safari yesterday, as per guidelines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) J D Sharma said today.  "The tiger escaped from the enclosure after jumping over the 18-feet-high wire fencing. His pug marks are clearly visible on the walls of the enclosure," Forest and Environment minister Bijayshree Routray said. Wildlife and forest officials have been alerted. There was no immediate threat to tourists visiting the zoo from the tiger which has entered a nearby forest, Routray said. “We are sure to locate the tiger soon. It is not a man-eater or has ever attacked a domestic animal while coming to the Nandankan Zoo on its own,” he said. The zoo authorities have closed the tiger safari for an indefinite period as part of safety measures for visitors and investigation has been ordered. A high-level technical committee, comprising the chief wildlife warden, zoo officials, a member nominated by the NTCA at a meeting on May 25, had decided that the tiger would remain in captivity till its original habitat was identified. PTI