Tiger moves northwards, giving hope to officials

The tiger that has been giving sleepless nights to the Forest Department and people alike by its peregrinations in the non-forest areas of Telangana, is now moving northward, raising hopes of its eventual return to Kawal Tiger Reserve.

The teams tracking the animal have confirmed its presence at Arepally village in Siddipet district on February 8, and said that it is moving in a northerly direction. This movement follows a previously confirmed sighting and the recording of fresh pug marks on February 6 and 7, a statement from the Forest Department said.

A camera trap image released by the department shows the big cat quenching thirst at a water body. Officials are advising the residents of Shanigaram, Koheda mandals and those around Arepally, to adhere to established safety protocols towards restricted movements. Avoid venturing outdoors unless necessary especially during night, and if necessary, travel in large groups, the villagers are told.

They are also advised against setting up live electric wires/traps, and to secure the cattle in safe shelters. Officials informed that there have been fresh cattle kills, and that all cattle owners will be compensated on the spot.

To ensure the safety of both the public as well as the tiger, the department has intensified operations by forming dedicated patrolling teams across the districts of Siddipet, Jangaon, Karimnagar and Yadadri, the statement said.

These teams are actively conducting ground-level outreach to educate residents on safety protocols while monitoring the landscape to ensure the animal’s safe passage. Specialised tiger rescue teams from Pune have been deployed, and expert assessments are being conducted continuously. If the situation warrants, capture will be considered under strict standard operating procedures of the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the statement said.

The tiger, which travelled from Tipeshwar sanctuary of Maharashtra, entered the Kawal Tiger Reserve and over two months ago, swam across the Godavari river to enter the non-forest districts. Since then, the animal has been constantly on the move, presumably in search of territory or mate. It has been wandering the intersection of Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri, Jangaon and Siddipet for close to a month, giving rise to rumours that it had marked its territory there, which, the Forest officials have denied.