Possible Presence of A Royal Bengal Tiger in Gajapati Dist, Pugmarks Spotted in Adjoining AP Village

Paralakhemundi: The pugmarks of a Royal Bengal Tiger (RBT) were spotted on the riverbed of Mahendratanaya near Sarali village in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. As Sarali village is only two kilometres away from Paralakhemundi town in the Gajapati district of Odisha, the presence of the big cat in the Odisha region cannot be ruled out.

Following the discovery of the pugmarks of the big cat, Odisha forest officials have started alerting the villages to be cautious and not come out of their houses at night. These villagers have also been asked not to venture out alone into the forest areas bordering Andhra during the day hours.

On October 20, it was reported that a Royal Bengal Tiger had killed a cow near Santoshpur village of Gandahati panchayat in Gajapati district.

The presence of the big cat was ascertained through a camera trap installed by the forest department. At that time it was suspected that the tiger had traveled back to Andhra.