Eluru villagers live in fear as tiger claims third cattle; forest team fights rain to trap

At least three cattle have been killed by a tiger in the forests of Eluru district, Andhra Pradesh, over the past three days. The latest victim was a calf in Pandugudem village, Buttaigudem mandal, attacked on Friday night. Earlier, two cows were killed in the forests near Mangapathidevipeta village under the Kannapuram range, officials said.

A team led by Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) T. Asha Jyothi, along with Eluru District Forest Officer (DFO) P.V. Sandeep Reddy and Rajamahendravaram DFO Prabhakar Rao, visited the affected areas in Jangareddygudem and Buttaigudem to monitor the situation. The presence of senior officials highlights the seriousness of the matter.

The tiger has been observed moving through the reserve forest near Marlagudem village in the Jangareddygudem range. Jangareddygudem Forest Range Officer (FRO) Kumar Babu said, "The tiger is moving through the reserve forest near Marlagudem village in Jangareddygudem range. An expert team from Wardha in Maharashtra is trying to trap the animal." Forest officials said they are tracking its movements with CCTV cameras and ground patrols.

Nearly 30 forest department personnel are involved in the operation. Traps have been placed at strategic locations, and the team is monitoring the animal's behaviour. However, heavy rains over the past few days have slowed the progress. The wet weather has made the terrain difficult to navigate and has affected visibility, officials said.

Residents of Koyyalagudem, Lakshmanudugudem, Pandugudem, Kangalavarigudem, and other villages are living in fear. Ch. Nageswara Rao, a villager, said, "Villagers are living in constant fear due to the movement of the tiger that killed three cattle in the last three days. Residents have remained indoors for the last few days, and children are not going to schools in Koyyalagudem, Lakshmanudugudem, Pandugudem, Kangalavarigudem and other villages."

Farmers are particularly concerned. A. Surya Chandram, a farmer from Mangapathidevaipeta village, said, "Agriculture work is in full swing in the villages as monsoon has started. However, farmers are hesitant to go to the fields due to fear of the tiger lurking in the forests."

The forest department has issued advisories, urging residents not to move alone at night. Public announcements have been made in villages where the tiger has been sighted, including Koyyalagudem, Buttaigudem, and Kannapuram. Sub-DFO Venkata Subbaiah said, "We request the villagers not to move alone during nights."

No human injuries have been reported. Officials have assured that every effort is being made to capture the tiger safely. The animal is likely to be relocated after capture. Tigers are a protected species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and are listed as 'Endangered' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The current operation is being conducted using non-lethal methods, in line with standard wildlife management procedures.

However, incidents of human-wildlife conflict pose challenges for both people and authorities. The forest department is in constant touch with villagers and has asked them to report any sightings immediately. Officials are hopeful that the rains will subside, allowing the operation to proceed without further delays. The situation remains under close watch, with the safety of both the villagers and the tiger in mind.