Bhopal, Nearly a month after a tiger killed a man and partially ate the carcass in Madhya Pradesh's Raisen district, officials have captured the big cat.

The forest department had issued a red alert for 36 villages in the area as the animal had terrorized the locals.

Raisen Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Vijay Kumar said on Thursday that around 140 people, including forest department personnel and villagers, were involved in the search for the big cat.

“The animal has been rescued and tranquilized. It will be released in Satpura Tiger Reserve (STR).”

The tiger killed Maniram Jatav, a resident of Neemkheda village, 35 km from Bhopal city, on May 15. It also preyed on cattle, and was seen roaming in the area.

This village is situated in the eastern border of Raisen forest division.

Two days after Jatav's half-eaten body was found, a red alert was issued for 36 villages spread over 150 sq km. People were told not to go into the forest until the animal was caught.

DFO Kumar said that when there is a threat to human life from a wild animal, a red alert is issued.

Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary which houses more than 60 big cats is located in Raisen district.

According to the latest official count, Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of tigers in the country at 785.