Tiger movement confirmed near Kalikota Suramma reservoir in Jagtial district

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: Tiger movement was detected near the Kalikota Suramma reservoir on the outskirts of Kalikota in Kathalapur mandal on Monday.

Pugmarks of the big cat were found in agricultural land owned by farmer Markam Rajesham. Farmers who noticed the pugmarks alerted Forest department officials. On receiving information, forest officials, including Metpally Range Officer Padmarao, Deputy Range Officer Suresh Kumar and others, visited the spot and examined the pugmarks.

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Confirming the tiger’s movement, forest officials advised farmers and villagers not to move alone at night. They also advised farmers to keep cattle near their houses instead of leaving them close to forest areas, and urged villagers to alert authorities if they noticed the tiger’s movement. It may be recalled that the tiger, which had been moving in the region over the past ten days, attacked three oxen near the Mothkuraopet forest area in Bheemaram mandal 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, the tiger appeared again on the outskirts of Mothkuraopet village and attacked oxen. It fled as cattle present in large numbers raised an alarm, forest officials said.

Forest officials confirmed the tiger’s movement after examining pugmarks and injuries on the oxen. Earlier, tiger movement was reported in Rajanna-Sircilla district. On the night of February 16, the big cat attacked four calves near Thippapur hillocks in Ellanthakunta mandal, killing three and severely injuring one. A week before that incident, it had also killed cattle near Peddalingapur village.

Officials are continuing search operations and have installed trap cameras to monitor the tiger’s movement.