RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM: Tension has gripped tribal villages in Rampachodavaram mandal after a tiger strayed near human habitations, killed two livestock within two days and triggered widespread panic among residents.
In Tallapalem village, a tiger reportedly killed and partially ate a calf tethered at a farm camp a day ago. Villagers said they are too frightened to step out after dusk.
A similar incident occurred in Peddakonda village under Marrivada panchayat, where the tiger attacked a cow and calf past midnight on February 26. The injured calf later died, taking total livestock casualties to two within two days.
Forest officials said authorities earlier captured the tiger in Kurmapuram and later released it into the Papikonda sanctuary region. Since then, it has moved across Kintukuru, Kakavada and MareduMalli forest belts before reaching the present locations near human settlements.
Under the supervision of DFO Shivakumar Gangal, forest teams are conducting patrols and awareness drives in affected villages. Officials have urged residents not to venture out after 6 pm and assured them that authorities are taking steps to prevent the tiger from entering residential areas.
Polavaram district Collector AS Dinesh Kumar assured tribal residents that authorities are taking necessary measures to prevent panic over the tiger movement in Rampachodavaram mandal. During an interaction at the ITDA office on Monday, tribal representatives from Vemulakonda and Akuru panchayats expressed fear over the roaming tiger and sought immediate intervention.
Dinesh Kumar said forest officials are closely monitoring the situation. He said the tiger has geo-tagging, which enables authorities to track its movement in real time and alert nearby villages accordingly. He added that officials have informed the government and have launched awareness measures to ensure public safety.