Male tiger sparks panic in Siddipet, Yadadri, Jangaon
HYDERABAD: A male tiger that set out from Maharashtra three months ago is triggering fear across parts of Telangana, with its movement reported across three districts. Forest officials are tracking the animal, which has evaded cages and trap cameras, while fake videos and photos generated using artificial intelligence are being circulated on WhatsApp, adding to public anxiety.
Residents of Siddipet district, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district and Jangaon district, already on edge due to confirmed tiger movement, say the fake visuals have left them confused about what is real. Forest officials have clarified that photos and videos circulating on social media are fake and said efforts to track the actual tiger are continuing. They warned of strict action against those spreading morphed images, AI-generated photos and fake videos.
The tiger, which had earlier moved through Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district, has now re-entered Jangaon district. Forest officials said pugmarks were found on Thursday near the outskirts of Mandalagudem, Lingalaghanapuram and Kundaram villages in Raghunathapalli mandal. On Friday, the tiger killed a calf belonging to a farmer from Mandalagudem. Pugmarks were also identified in agricultural fields near Nakkabokkala Thanda and Potharaju Thanda on the village outskirts.
Officials said these signs confirm the presence of a real tiger and advised farmers to remain alert. They urged people not to visit fields alone, to move in groups if necessary, and to make noise while walking. The forest department warned against laying electric wires to protect crops, saying any harm to the tiger would attract non-bailable cases under the Wildlife Protection Act. People were asked to immediately inform forest or police officials if the tiger is sighted or if fresh pugmarks are found. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Suvarna and District Forest Officer Lavanya issued the advisory.
While fake tiger sightings have caused panic among residents, the real tiger has posed a challenge for forest teams. Officials said it crossed the Penganga river from Maharashtra’s Pandharkawada division in the Tippeshwar forest area in late November and entered Telangana through the Bhimpur forests of Adilabad district. It then spent a few days in the Kawal Tiger Reserve area across Nirmal and Mancherial districts before moving along the borders of Peddapalli, Karimnagar and Sircilla districts to reach Siddipet.
The tiger is currently moving along the borders of Yadadri Bhuvanagiri and Jangaon districts. Over the past three months, it has travelled hundreds of kilometres and killed several calves and cows to feed itself, particularly after moving out of the Kawal forest area. Forest officials said compensation would be provided to farmers who lost livestock.
The animal’s constant movement without settling in one area has made tracking difficult despite the use of cages, trap cameras and drones. With the tiger now moving through farmlands and habitations in Siddipet, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri and Jangaon districts, farmers said they are fearful of venturing out, whether for daytime farm work or for irrigating crops at night. Many said they are anxiously waiting for the tiger to be captured, hoping an end to months of tension is in sight.
