Daijiworld Media Network - Hyderabad
Hyderabad, Feb 8: Fear has spread across villages in Telangana’s Siddipet district as a tiger continues its cattle-killing spree, prompting the Forest Department to intensify search and containment operations.
Villagers in Arepally of Koheda Mandal reported sightings of the elusive predator, which has already killed five calves near Chandranaik Thanda, including cattle belonging to farmer Maloth Ramesh. Forest officials, accompanied by local police, rushed to the area to collect pugmarks and track the tiger’s movements.
Authorities have issued safety advisories, urging farmers not to leave cattle tied in open fields and to keep them safely at home. Villagers, particularly women, children, and senior citizens, have been cautioned against venturing alone into agricultural areas.
The tiger has also been responsible for attacks in Ghanapur, Akkenapally, and Baswapuram villages. At Ghanapur, farmer Bal Reddy discovered a calf killed and another severely injured in his field. Camera traps are being installed at multiple attack sites to monitor the tiger.
Recent sightings indicate the big cat has moved across several areas of Siddipet, including Dhoolmitta Mandal, and left pugmarks in Bairanpalle, Kootigal, and Bekkal. Forest teams have launched continuous search operations, urging villagers to avoid early-morning fieldwork until it is confirmed safe.
Officials believe the tiger crossed into Telangana from neighbouring Maharashtra, previously entering Jangaon district and killing cattle in Ammapur and Veldanda villages. It also attacked cattle at Mandalagudem village in Raghunathpally Mandal a day earlier.
This incident marks the second tiger-related panic in the Telugu states in less than a week. On Feb 6, forest authorities in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh captured a tiger that had been roaming villages near Rajahmundry after reportedly entering the state via Maharashtra, passing through Telangana and Chhattisgarh.
Forest officials continue to track and attempt to safely capture the Siddipet tiger to prevent further loss of livestock and ensure villagers’ safety.