Tiger kills 10 calves around Siddipet village, eats one

The tiger on the long meandering journey in Telangana’s non-forest areas has killed three calves in one day, near Arepally village in Koheda mandal of Siddipet district, sending shivers down the spines of local residents. However, it has eaten only one carcass completely.

The young tiger determined to be four to five years of age, has killed around 10 cattle members, all calves, in a span of two to three days, sources informed. Rescue teams inspecting the trails left by the feline found six carcasses of calves on Monday, and three on Tuesday. Forest officials from the district, however, refused to comment.

It is learnt that the tiger is returning to the kills two days after the attack, to partake of the meat. While it is unusual for an adult tiger to kill so frequently, wildlife experts attribute it to stress and human disturbances. Fully grown tigers usually kill once a week or 10 days depending on the size of the animal.

“It is not unusual for a tiger to go on a killing spree when it is under stress. It is called surplus killing, and resorted to by the animals in specific conditions, for instance, when it rains copiously,” says an expert under the condition of anonymity. Also, tigers instinctively kill more frequently when there is easy availability of abundant prey.

In the current instance, the tiger could have been under stress due to movement of villagers and forest officials around the kills, or might not be touching the meat as the carcasses are tampered with.

Since entering the non-forest districts from Kawal Tiger Reserve, the big cat has killed dozens of cattle members, which is proving to be very expensive to the Forest department as they are forced to shell out ₹20,000-25,000 per each kill as on the spot compensation.

They are, however, hopeful that the animal is tracing its steps back to wildlife areas in Maharashtra, from where its journey first began in search of either territory or mate.

Rescue teams are keeping track of the animal using thermal imaging drones and real time tracking of pug marks and other indicators, officials informed.