"The area is part of Nagzira-Umred-Karhandla corridor and is also close to the spot where ex-sarpanch from Chinchal village MunishwarKatekhaye had sighted a collared tiger on the night of July 12," a senior forest officer told TOI. "Though teams will also search forest patches in South Umred in Nagpur division, focus is now on Rawanwadi. We suspect Jai might be there," he said. Bhandara deputy conservator of forests (DyCF) UmeshVerma has been asked to install camera traps in the area. However, no evidence of any cattle or animals kill has been found here.

With reports of two more cattle kills on Thursday in South Umred, search was intensified on Sunday and two more camera traps were installed. Over 20 volunteers and staff from Umred-Karhandla and South Umred searched for clues. "We have recorded fresh pugmarks of a tigress on Sunday. Villagers have been put on alert and have been told to immediately respond in case of any cattle kill," saidRoheet Karoo of Wildlife Conservation and Development Centre (WLCDC).

In South Umred range over 14 cattle kills have been reported in the last 15 days raising hopes of presence of Jai, known for cattle kills. "We also recorded a big pugmark on Saturday. It seems to be of a male," said Karoo.

Forest officials suspect the male tiger in South Umred range may be one of the two-year-old cubs of Chandi from Umred-Karhandla. Chandi has four cubs — three males — Jaichand, Bahu and Bali-- and a female. "Over 10-12 days ago, morning walkers on the main approach road to Karhandla had sighted a tiger, which retreated upon seeing humans. South Umred range is virtually next door to Karhandla with only state highway separating them.

Wildlife officials were hopeful about Jai and said that it was not right to even speculate Jai may have been killed. They are refraining from making public comments till presence of Jai is actually established. "In Tadoba and its buffer there are 88 tigers but only 10 or so are sighted, that doesn't mean others have been poached," they remarked.