A tiger on the move in Telangana's Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district killed a calf at a cattle shed in Rallajanagaon village of Yadagirigutta mandal on Saturday night. This incident has prompted forest officials to intensify surveillance and monitoring efforts across the region to track the big cat's movements and prevent further attacks.
Farmer Discovers Dead Calf, Pug Marks Found
A local farmer discovered the dead calf on Sunday morning when he went to inspect his fields. Forest officials who visited the spot after receiving information from villagers found clear pug marks around the cattle shed and in nearby agricultural fields. The examination confirmed the presence of a tiger in the area, raising concerns among residents and authorities alike.
Tiger's Movement First Noticed Last Week
The tiger's presence in the district was first detected last Sunday in Turkapally mandal when a farmer discovered pug marks in his field. The following day, the same animal attacked two calves at Ibrahimpur village within the same mandal, dragging away one of them. Forest officials confirmed these incidents, noting that this marks the first confirmed tiger sighting in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district.
Initial Sighting Near Temple Prompts Alerts
Interestingly, the tiger was initially spotted just 5 kilometers from the Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple, a significant religious site. This proximity prompted immediate alerts to nearby villages, with forest authorities advising residents to exercise caution and report any unusual wildlife sightings.
Forest Department Installs Camera Traps
In response to these incidents, forest officials have installed multiple camera traps across different forest beats to monitor the tiger's movements. The animal is estimated to be approximately 10 years old. According to C Suvarna, principal chief conservator of forests, the department is closely monitoring the situation and implementing precautionary measures to minimize human-animal conflict.
Tiger's Journey Across Multiple Districts
Forest officials suspect the tiger entered Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district from neighboring Maharashtra, moving through Peddapalli and Siddipet districts along the way. The wandering big cat, likely in search of territory or a mate, has traversed an impressive distance over the past two months.
Officials revealed that the tiger has traveled through more than 10 districts, entering Telangana from Maharashtra via KB Asifabad, Mancherial, Nirmal, Jagtial, Rajanna-Siricilla, Kamareddy, Siddipet, Karimnagar, and Peddapalle before finally reaching Yadadri-Bhongir district.
Political Response to the Incident
Following the calf killing incident, Aler MLA Beerla Ilaiah visited Rallajanagaon village to assess the situation. The MLA spoke with concerned villagers and forest officials, discussing measures to ensure community safety while addressing the challenges posed by the tiger's presence in populated areas.
The forest department continues to monitor the tiger's movements closely, balancing wildlife conservation needs with public safety concerns in this developing situation.
