Nirmal, Telangana — The sighting of a tiger on the outskirts of Kuntala mandal has created widespread fear among local residents, particularly after it was spotted by morning joggers near a canal on Friday. The joggers immediately alerted the community, who called in Forest Department officials to help guide the tiger back to the forest.
Residents reported feeling a heightened sense of unease, as the tiger’s presence was detected near villages close to the forest edge. Forest officials arrived promptly and confirmed the tiger’s movement by identifying fresh pugmarks. Officials believe the tiger may have wandered in from Maharashtra’s forested areas.
The Forest Department has implemented precautionary measures to protect locals and reduce any potential risk of human-wildlife conflict. The team has advised the public to remain vigilant but avoid harming the tiger. Special attention is being given to ensuring a safe passage for the tiger back into its natural habitat.
This is not an isolated incident; tigers and leopards have been increasingly sighted near roads and populated areas across Telangana. Recently, on November 3, a tiger was spotted in the forests surrounding Suryapur, Medanpur, Dounelli, and Ambugaon villages. In that instance, the tiger attacked livestock, killing cattle and a calf. Forest officials have since deployed CCTV camera traps in these regions to monitor the movements of the tiger and mitigate risks to both wildlife and residents.
Forest authorities emphasize the importance of coexisting with wildlife and are working on plans to enhance the monitoring and management of tiger and leopard movement to prevent such encounters in residential areas.
