Footprints found in Kamphaeng Phet suggest that Vijit, a Bengal tiger which strayed out of the forest in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary in Uthai Thani last week, is heading towards Mae Wong National Park, authorities said yesterday.
The footprints were positively identified as Vijit's yesterday afternoon, according to Thawatchai Phetcharaburanin, the acting director of Protected Areas Regional Office 12 in Nakhon Sawan.
The prints were discovered by residents who live some 500 meters from the edge of Mae Wong National Park, he said.
Upon being alerted to the prints, a group of researchers tracking the tiger's movements immediately set out to examine them and later confirmed they were Vijit's.
Authorities are concerned that the tiger, which has been fitted with a tracking collar, will wander into residential areas and pose a danger to local residents.
Mr Thawatchai said a special team of rangers has been formed to monitor the tiger's location every hour, using the signal sent out by the collar.
The information is then used to narrow down their search area and predict the direction the animal will be heading in.
The search will focus on forests adjacent to the Khao Khiew-Pang Ta Wai road near Mae Wong National Park, Mr Thawatchai explained.
The search team will be joined by rangers from Klong Lan National Park and officials from the Ban Lek Nai Pa Yai forest fire fighting unit and Khao Nang Ram Wildlife Research Station.
Earlier, wildlife authorities issued a public appeal and urged local residents to call in if they see the big cat wandering in their area.
Those who spot the stray Bengal tiger are asked to call 082-164 6274 or 095-514 7859, day or night so that the animal can be recaptured safely.