Experts say the behaviour of the animal reflected through its attacks on the people reveal that the killings were not accidental. “Its manner of killing was deliberate. It even tried to drag a victim inside the forests despite the presence of several people in Pilibhit. Such incidents reveal that the tiger could be a maneater,” said PK Mallik, Director, WII.

Experts now advocate a change in the strategy to catch the big cat and reduce the number of people in the rescue operations. After getting information from the trackers regarding the presence of the tiger, a smaller team should be sent to the area to catch it. “We will reduce our team strength and undertake the operations quietly,” said RS Mishra, conservator of forest, Faizabad.

Covering a distance of nearly 15 km, the tiger has moved from Barabanki to Devait forest cover in Faizabad. The jungle spreads to nearly 1,000 hectares and, experts claim, is the ideal place for the animal to hide. If left undisturbed, the animal can settle in the area and can easily get localised.