Haldwani, Dec. 15 -- A tigress suspected to have killed a 60-year-old woman earlier this month was captured after being tranquilised in the early hours of Sunday in Sirabodi village of the Kotdwar area, located on the fringes of the Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR), forest officials said. The tigress was caught after an intensive search operation lasting three to four days and has been shifted to the Dhela Rescue Centre inside the CTR for observation and detailed medical examination. According to forest officials, the tigress is suspected to be involved in the fatal attack on Urmila Devi (60), a resident of Dalyuganj Tok under Amlesa panchayat in Kotdwar, who was killed on December 5. The woman was suddenly pounced upon by the animal when she went to the forest to collect fodder, dragged her deeper into the forest and killed, said forest officials. Following the incident, villagers reported frequent sightings of a tigress close to human settlements in the Kotdwar region, leading to panic among residents. Agitated villagers staged protests and demanded swift action from the forest department to capture the animal. The forest department then constituted a special team led by CTR's senior veterinarian Dushyant Sharma to track and capture the animal. The team carried out round-the-clock patrolling and intensive searches in the forest areas adjoining Sirabodi and surrounding villages. Sharma said the tigress was finally located during a night patrol. "At around 3 am on Sunday, while patrolling near Sirabodi village, the tigress suddenly appeared in front of the team. A tranquiliser dart was fired, and the animal was successfully sedated. After ensuring her safety, she was secured in a cage and immediately transported to the Dhela Rescue Centre," he said. Sharma said the animal is an adult tigress. "At present, the tigress is suspected to be the same animal involved in the fatal attack on the woman. However, this can only be confirmed after detailed medical examination and behavioural assessment," he added. He further said the tigress will remain under continuous observation at rescue centre and future action will be decided based on the findings of the examination and her behaviour. Meanwhile, forest department officials have appealed to villagers living near forested areas to remain cautious.People should avoid venturing deep into forests alone, especially early in the morning or late evening, and immediately inform the forest department control room if they spot any wildlife movement near human habitation, said officials...