Russia's environmental protection agency has issued a permit to capture the tiger that is terrorising several villages in the Vyazemsky District, Khabarovsk Territory.

News of a tiger stalking the villages of Roskosh and Kotikovo was reported on May 30. The wild life agency said it was a small beast that had already killed several dogs. The predator seems to be ill because it hunts dogs rather than hoofed prey which, according to experts, are now abundant in Khabarovsk's forests.

The search will begin Wednesday, June 1. In addition to a team from Inspection Tiger, scientists from the Severtsov Institute will also take part in trapping the animal. The tiger, when caught, will most likely be taken to the Utyos rehabilitation center for predators, where experts will give the cat a full checkup.