HYDERABAD: The tiger that kept Telangana forest officials on alert for nearly six months and triggered fear among residents has now gone missing, raising questions over its whereabouts and safety.
The tiger, believed to have strayed from the Tadoba forest region in Maharashtra, travelled hundreds of kilometres through forest corridors before entering Telangana via Boath in Adilabad district. It later moved unexpectedly towards Yadagirigutta, evading forest officials despite extensive tracking efforts.
During its movement, the tiger reportedly attacked livestock in several areas and stayed around Yadagirigutta for a few days, causing concern among residents and officials. Forest authorities deployed special teams from Pune, installed hundreds of camera traps and placed cages in several locations to capture the animal. However, the tiger managed to avoid capture.
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Officials later said the tiger had started its return journey towards Maharashtra, bringing temporary relief to forest personnel.
Forest officials lose trail after Kamareddy
During its return movement, the tiger reportedly passed through Siddipet and Jagtial districts before entering Kamareddy and Nizamabad districts. Camera traps in Kamareddy captured photographs of the animal, but officials later lost track of it.
Sources said there has been no confirmed movement of the tiger after it crossed Kamareddy district. The lack of coordination between Telangana and Maharashtra forest officials has added to the uncertainty over the animal's fate.
While Telangana officials reportedly believe the tiger safely returned to its habitat in Maharashtra, officials there are said to have denied any confirmation of its arrival.
Questions over possible poaching
The disappearance has triggered speculation over whether the tiger may have fallen victim to poachers. Concerns are being raised that it could have died after getting trapped in snares or electrified wires laid in forest regions.
Forest experts point out that tigers usually leave behind paw marks or scat while moving through forest areas. However, no fresh signs of the animal have been reported in recent days, strengthening fears over its safety.
Questions are also being raised over whether officials are withholding information if the tiger was indeed killed by poachers. The mysterious disappearance of the animal after travelling across multiple districts has now become a matter of concern for wildlife observers and local residents alike.