Nirmal: Sighting of tiger triggers panic among locals of Kuntala mandal centre

Some morning joggers claimed that they sighted a tiger at a canal of an irrigation project.

Nirmal: Sighting of a tiger on the outskirts of Kuntala mandal centre triggered panic among locals on Friday.

Some morning joggers claimed that they sighted a tiger at a canal of an irrigation project. They alerted locals about the movement of the tiger, who in turn sought help of Forest officials in diverting the tiger into the forests. Locals said that they were living in the grip of fear following the presence of the tiger in the forests near their village.

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Upon receiving information, Forest officials rushed to the spot and recorded pugmarks of the tiger. They said a tiger from Maharashtra might have entered the forests of Kuntala mandal. Steps were being taken to prevent human loss and to ensure smooth passage for the tiger, they said, urging locals not to harm the wild animal.

On November 3, the tiger was sighted in the forests near Suryapur, Medanpur, Dounelli and Ambugaon villages. It killed cattle and a calf in the forests of Suryapur. CCTV camera traps were installed to track the movement of the tiger.