Rare Wildlife Animals Sightings Spark Stir In Warangal & Karimnagar
The animal, which is usually confined to deep forest regions such as the Seshachalam hills, appeared to be unwell. Forest department officials rushed to the spot, rescued the civet cat, and shifted it to a local Deer Park for medical treatment: Reports
WARANGAL: A series of sightings of rare wild animals in residential areas has triggered both concern and curiosity among residents of the erstwhile Warangal and Karimnagar districts.
In a rare incident a few days ago, a pangolin, locally known as alugu, was spotted roaming through Narsampet town in Warangal district. Residents noticed the animal near Nagamaiah Temple in the early morning before it hid in thick bushes near the municipal gate. While several locals recorded videos on their mobiles, wildlife experts expressed concern, noting that pangolins are shy, nocturnal creatures often targeted by smugglers for their scales, which are used in traditional medicines and rituals.
In another unusual incident, a rare civet cat, locally called punugu pilli, was found inside a house in Hindupuri Colony of Karimnagar district. The animal, which is usually confined to deep forest regions such as the Seshachalam hills, appeared to be unwell. Forest department officials rushed to the spot, rescued the civet cat, and shifted it to a local Deer Park for medical treatment. Officials said it would be released back into the forest after recovery.
Karimnagar city also witnessed a rare visit by a fox in the Vavilalapally area, where it entered a solar power company office, causing panic among employees. While some locals viewed the sighting as auspicious, the fox escaped towards the outskirts when forest officials attempted to capture it.
In a separate incident at Gaureddipeta village in Peddapalli district, a young deer wandered into the backyard of a resident. It is believed the deer strayed while following a herd of sheep. Villagers alerted forest officials, and a rescue team safely captured the animal and released it into the Basantnagar forest area.
Wildlife experts attribute these encounters to rapid human expansion. Clearing of hills and forests for buildings, quarrying, and real estate projects has led to habitat loss and fragmentation, forcing animals such as pangolins, deer, civet cats, foxes, and even larger wildlife to enter human settlements in search of food and water.
Forest range officer T. Satish Kumar of Peddapalli district told Deccan Chronicle that the destruction of natural forest habitats is pushing wildlife into towns. He appealed to residents living near forest areas not to harm such animals and to immediately inform the forest department about any sightings. Echoing similar concerns, Karimnagar resident K. Vishal said that heavy blasting at granite quarries and the expansion of real estate projects are damaging forest ecosystems. He urged authorities to take urgent measures to protect these rare species before they disappear permanently.
