Asifabad: Cattle herd ward off tiger that attacked calf

The bovine was lucky enough to escape from the jaws of death but the serious injuries it suffered on its neck has put a question mark on its survival. Its condition, forest officials said, was critical.

Kumram Bheem Asifabad: It was a scene straight out of National Geographic’s serials that depict the fight for survival among animals in the African Serengeti. A tiger attacked a calf, but had to make a hasty retreat when the herd of cattle fought back to save the young one in Yellur forest, Penchikalpet mandal in the district on Wednesday. The bovine was lucky enough to escape from the jaws of death but the serious injuries it suffered on its neck has put a question mark on its survival. Its condition, forest officials said, was critical.

Yellur Beat Officer Dinesh said the big cat pounced on the calf belonging to Shanigarapu Pochamallu of Yellur village while it was grazing in the forest area. The tiger’s pug marks were recorded and it is believed that the cattle may have strayed into its territory.

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Taking a firm grip on the calf’s neck, the tiger tried to drag it away but the herd nearby took up the challenge and put up a stiff fight, forcing the big cat to leave the bleeding calf behind. A photograph of the calf with bleeding injuries went viral on social media platforms. Following the incident, the locals urged the forest officials to take steps to keep the carnivore confined to the forest and prevent cattle kills.

A big cat named A2 which developed aberrant behaviour killed two youngsters in Dahegaon and Penchikalpet Forest Ranges in 2020. Kaghaznagar forest divisions registered over 50 cattle kills this year and the recent sighting of a tiger on the road between Lodpalli and Salugupalli continues to send shivers down the spine of road-users.

Carnivores often stray into human habitations and attack cattle, terrorising locals in the forest fringe villages such as Gundepalli, Kammaragoan, Digida and Agarguda. CCTV camera traps have been installed to track movement of the big cats.

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