HYDERABAD: The Forest department on Wednesday held a high-level review meeting to track the movement of a straying tiger across parts of Telangana and assess preparedness to ensure public safety while protecting the animal.
Officials said the tiger entered the state in late November 2025 from Maharashtra’s Yavatmal district, originating from the Pandavkhara division near the Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. It remained in the core area of the Kawal Tiger Reserve for over two weeks.
Field assessments have identified the animal as a dispersing young male, likely searching for territory or mates. It is currently moving through a landscape at the junction of Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, Siddipet and Jangaon districts, where eight cases of cattle attacks have been reported in recent weeks.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF) and Chief Wildlife Warden C Suvarna directed divisional forest officers to remain on high alert and respond on priority. She expressed concern over misinformation, saying rumours about multiple tigers and territorial markings were creating confusion and panic. Protecting people while safeguarding the tiger, she said, remained the department’s top priority.
Chief conservator of forests (CAMPA) N Kshitija presented a detailed movement map based on field inputs, while divisional forest officers from Yadadri and Siddipet shared ground-level observations on the animal’s dispersal pattern.
Officials decided to intensify monitoring in the coming days and seek expert assistance from Maharashtra, including the tiger rescue team from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve. A rescue team from Pune is expected to join operations shortly, with the situation to be reviewed in real time.
The meeting noted that crowding near kill sites, fuelled by rumours, was hampering monitoring and disturbing the animal. The police will be roped in for crowd control and to maintain law and order in sensitive areas.
Officials clarified that compensation for cattle losses would be paid on the spot as per norms. Wildlife experts said the tiger may either return to forested areas or move further towards the Warangal or Nagarjunasagar forest landscapes.