Lovelorn Tiger Johnny walks 350 km, leaves Telangana in search of mate

Sources said that the tiger aged between 6 and 8 years crossed the forests of Narnoor mandal and entered the forests of neighboring Maharashtra in search of another mate.

Adilabad: A lovelorn male tiger popularly known as Johnny left the forests of Telangana as he reportedly failed to meet a female companion even after walking for over 350 kilometers and spending around a month on Friday.

Sources said that the tiger aged between 6 and 8 years crossed the forests of Narnoor mandal and entered the forests of neighboring Maharashtra in search of another mate. It could not meet a tigress inhabiting the forests of Kerameri in its four days long stay in the forests of Narnoor and Jainoor mandal.

---

The tiger strayed into the forests of the district from the forests of Nirmal on November 18. It was sighted crossing a road at Laltekdi village in Utnoor mandal. It then slipped into the forests of Gunjala village in Narnoor. It moved in the agriculture fields of Panapathar village in neighboring Jainoor mandal on Thursday, triggering panic among farmers.

Earlier, moving in Painganga wildlife sanctuary that spreads in both Nanded and Yavatmal district of neighboring Maharashtra, Johnny had drifted towards Boath in Adilabad possibly expecting to find a female companion in October third week. It then moved into the forests of Kuntala, Sarangapur and Mamada mandals of Nirmal district before stepping in the forests of Utnoor mandal.

Significantly, Johnny has travelled over 350 kilometers in his quest to meet a mate from the sanctuary to Narnoor till Friday. The tiger killed at least five cattle and made two unsuccessful attempts on two other heads of cattle during the marathon journey. It was expected to meet the tigress of Kerameri forests as it was found near the female tiger a few days back.

Forest officials installed CCTV camera traps and deployed scores of animal trackers to ensure smooth passage for the tiger. They created awareness among the rural folks over movement of the tiger in the forests of both Nirmal and Adilabad districts. They urged the villagers not to harm Johnny by setting electrified fences and snares.