Tiger movement reported in Jagtial’s Mothkuraopet forest
Forest officials have confirmed tiger movement in the Mothkuraopet forest area of Bheemaram mandal in Jagtial district after attacks on oxen and calves. Trap cameras have been installed as search operations continue to monitor the big cat’s movement
Jagtial: A tiger has been moving in the Mothkuraopet forest area of Bheemaram mandal over the past few days. Officials have confirmed the presence of the tiger after examining pugmarks in the area.
The big cat, which had moved into the area about a week ago, appeared again and attacked three oxen on Saturday night. On February 21, farmers found pugmarks of the tiger near their agricultural fields and alerted forest officials. Pugmarks were also found near Bandagutta and Maisamma temple areas. After a week, it appeared again on the outskirts of Mothkuraopet village and attacked oxen. It ran away as the cattle present in large numbers raised an alarm, officials said.
Forest officials confirmed the tiger’s movement after examining pugmarks and injuries on the oxen. Earlier, its movement was reported in Rajanna-Sircilla district. On the night of February 16, the tiger attacked four calves near Thippapur hillocks in Ellanthakunta mandal. Of them, three died and one sustained severe injuries. A week before that incident, it had also killed cattle near Peddalingapur village.
Forest officials are continuing search operations and have arranged trap cameras to monitor the tiger’s movement.
