Tiger sighting reports trigger panic in Vikarabad villages

Reports of a tiger sighting triggered panic in several villages of Vikarabad’s Parigi mandal after two cattle were attacked and killed at a gaushala in Basireddipally. Forest officials inspected the area, found no tiger signs and said the videos were unrelated.

Hyderabad: Panic prevailed in several villages of Parigi mandal in Vikarabad following reports of a tiger being spotted in Basireddy Palli village. However, forest officials have denied the reports.

Two cattle—a calf and a cow—were attacked and reportedly killed within a span of three days at a Gaushala attached to a temple in Basireddipally village. After noticing the repeated attacks, the temple management approached the police and Forest Department, informing them about the incidents and seeking action to prevent further attacks.

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Residents of Nazeerabad, Shakapur, Somangurthy and nearby villages are exercising caution in their movement following the reports.

When contacted, District Forest Officer, Vikarabad, Vishal Battula said local teams had visited the area and inspected it for pugmarks and other signs to ascertain whether a tiger had entered the area. “It is false news. Our teams have checked the village surroundings. The videos being circulated on social media are from some other place,” said the official.

However, forest officials maintained that hyenas are present in the nearby Narkel reserve forest and there is a possibility of the animals moving into the villages and attacking cattle. The animal responsible for the attacks would be confirmed after the post-mortem report is received from veterinary doctors.