Panic has gripped parts of Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district in Telangana after forest officials confirmed the movement of a tiger in the area. The confirmation came through multiple pieces of evidence including pugmarks, trap camera footage, and recent livestock attacks.
Livestock Attacks Trigger Initial Alerts
Farmers first raised the alarm when they discovered unusually large pugmarks in agricultural fields around Begumpet village. Forest department officials conducted an immediate inspection and determined the tracks matched those of a tiger rather than a leopard.
The situation escalated when a livestock attack occurred in Ibrahimpur village under Turkapally mandal during the early hours of Saturday. The carnivore reportedly killed one calf and dragged away another near an irrigation well.
Official Confirmation and Safety Measures
District Forest Officer Sudhakar Reddy told reporters that the pugmarks found at multiple locations matched perfectly, indicating the same animal was responsible for both the movement and the livestock attack. "I suspect this is the same big cat that was seen on a trap camera in Siddipet recently," Reddy stated.
Forest officials have issued specific safety advisories to local residents. Farmers and shepherds have been instructed to avoid moving alone during evening and night hours. They have been advised to work in groups while in the fields for added protection.
Monitoring and Surveillance Intensified
The forest department has taken several measures to monitor the situation closely. Officials have installed ten additional trap cameras across the affected areas and deployed special tracking teams to follow the animal's movements.
Continuous patrolling has been organized under the supervision of Deputy Range Officer Jahed Hussain, along with Forest Section Officers Shalini and Shekhar Reddy. Eight beat officers have been assigned to monitor the situation around the clock.
Villagers Receive Specific Warnings
DFO Sudhakar Reddy issued a stern warning to villagers regarding potential harm to the animal. He cautioned against installing or tightening live electric fencing around farmlands, noting that such practices could seriously injure the tiger and invite criminal action.
"The tiger is likely to move away from the area within a few days," Reddy explained. "Any attempt to harm it will be treated as a serious offence under wildlife protection laws."
Post-Mortem Confirms Tiger Attack
Veterinary officials conducted a post-mortem examination on the recovered calf carcass. Based on bite marks and drag patterns observed during the examination, they conclusively determined that the kill had been made by a tiger.
Fresh pugmarks discovered in Begumpet village, significantly larger than typical leopard tracks, further confirmed the tiger's continued movement across Rajapet and Turkapally mandals.
Safety Advisories for Surrounding Villages
Forest officials have intensified surveillance across the region and issued safety advisories to residents of surrounding villages. The advisories include:
- Securing livestock in protected enclosures during night hours
- Avoiding unnecessary movement after dark
- Reporting any unusual sightings immediately to forest officials
- Maintaining safe distances from forested areas
The measures will remain in place until the animal's presence is conclusively ruled out or it moves out of the region naturally. Officials remain hopeful that the tiger will continue its movement away from populated areas without further incident.
