Forest Officials Intensify Efforts To Capture Tiger in Rampachodavaram Area
Officials monitor tiger after cattle killings spark concern among villagers.
Vijayawada: Forest officials have intensified efforts to capture a tiger spotted in the Rampachodavaram forest area amid concerns over repeated cattle killings and threats from some tribal residents to kill the animal.
The tiger, which has reportedly established its territory on the fringes of the Papikonda National Park, has become a source of concern for villagers and farmers after several incidents of cattle predation.
Forest authorities said the situation was challenging as existing guidelines permit the capture of a tiger only under specific circumstances. Officials noted that the animal had not attacked any person or entered human habitations, conditions that are generally considered while taking a decision on capture.
According to forest officials, prevailing norms do not permit the capture of a tiger while it remains within its natural forest habitat unless it strays into residential areas or poses a direct threat to human life.
A senior forest official said efforts to track and capture the animal had been stepped up following recent threats from a section of tribal residents. He said advanced tracking technology, including a satellite collar, was being used to monitor the tiger’s movements.
The official added that the tiger had remained elusive despite continuous monitoring, but expressed confidence that the animal would be captured soon.
Forest personnel are continuing surveillance in the area while monitoring the tiger’s movement to prevent any escalation of human-wildlife conflict.
