Kolkata/IBNS: Tigress Zeenat, who had escaped Odisha Tiger Reserve, was sedated and captured in West Bengal's Bankura district on Sunday following a chase for 21 days, media reports said.

The three-year-old tigress had escaped the reserve on December 7.

The forest department officials in Bankura tracked Zeenat, tranquilised and caged her after she evaded the attempts to get captured a number of times.

The tigress had roamed in the forests of Bankura, Purulia and Jhargram.

As per reports, Zeenat first moved to Kankrajhor forest in Jhargram, then entered into Purulia and eventually she was tracked down in Bankura.

A search operation was launched by forest officials from West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand.

Odisha's chief wildlife warden Prem Kumar Jha said Zeenat was taken to Kolkata's Alipur Zoo for some health checkup and formality as she was caught in West Bengal's jurisdiction.

She will be taken back to Odisha's Similipal, Jha said as reported by The Times of India.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee posted on X, "My heartiest congratulations to the forest officials of West Bengal on the successful rescue of the tigress- Zeenat. My sincere gratitude to the district administration, police, panchayat functionaries and the local people for their invaluable support and collaboration in this remarkable effort.

"This rescue is a shining example of teamwork and dedication toward wildlife conservation. Your combined efforts have not only saved a majestic creature that strayed out of its habitat but also reinforced the importance of protecting our natural heritage. Thank you for your outstanding work!"