Tiger from Tadoba Reserve wreaks havoc near Rajahmundry; authorities mobilise expert teams for capture

RAJAHMUNDRY: A solitary tiger, which migrated from the Tadoba Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra, is causing panic in the populated areas surrounding Rajahmundry in the East Godavari district. The tiger crossed the Godavari River from the Eluru district and has already killed three cows and a calf in Thorredu village, located in the Rajahmundry rural mandal. On Tuesday night, the tiger was spotted wandering near Auto Nagar, which lies between Lalacheruvu and Diwancheruvu, both densely populated areas.Witnesses captured the tiger on their mobile devices as it crossed the high wall of a private function hall. In the early hours of Wednesday, the tiger killed a buffalo in RaghunaDha Puram before moving towards Ankalammathalli temple hillock, where forest officials confirmed the presence of its pug marks. Presently, the big cat is in a cashew plantation near the satellite city and Hukumpeta areas, which are heavily populated.Meanwhile, the forest department has secured all necessary permissions to capture the tiger using various methods. An expert team from Pune is en route to Rajahmundry to assist in the capture, while teams from Visakhapatnam and other locations have already been deployed. A total of 12 teams are actively working in the area. Veterinary doctors are on-site, and drones, cages, trap cameras, and thermal cameras have been set up near the pug mark locations.Response teams, including special rapid response units, police, and revenue officials, are implementing preventive measures. Authorities are using loudspeakers to warn residents in the villages of Rajanagaram, Sitanagarasm, and Rajahmundry rural mandals, urging them to remain indoors at night and to keep their cattle secured within their homes.