Forest officials, NGOs and local people are joining in the search. (stock photo)

Jai has been missing for three months

Wildlife officials are concerned about the whereabouts of India's most famous tiger, Jai, who has not been seen for three months.

It is thought the seven-year-old tiger was last seen on 18 April at the Umred Karhandla wildlife sanctuary, where he usually lives.
A major search has been launched in the western state of Maharashtra.

Forestry rangers are said to have become worried about Jai when his electronic collar stopped transmitting his location.

For the past two weeks, forest officials, NGOs and local people have been scouring the forests in hopes of finding Jai. The state government is offering 50,000 rupees as a reward for finding the 250kg big cat.

Jai's disappearance has prompted speculation that he may have been killed by poachers or wounded in a fight with another tiger. But recently a huge footprint has been found alongside some smaller ones in the forests of Umrer block, 60km south of Nagpur city, according to Telegraph India.

The footprint is well within the tiger's range and coincides with 10 cattle deaths nearby over the past few days. Although this is said to be the longest Jai has been missing, the discovery has rekindled hopes he will be found.