Tigers from Maharashtra enter Adilabad forests for mating
HYDERABAD: Tigers from Maharashtra’s Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary have been entering the forests of the erstwhile Adilabad district over the past few days, crossing the Penganga river near Bhimpur and Jainad mandals. Forest officials said that male tigers are moving into Adilabad, Nirmal and Asifabad districts in search of females during the current mating season.
Officials have launched awareness campaigns in forest fringe villages and stepped up protection measures to prevent human–wildlife conflict.
Three tigers, one leopard spotted
Tipeshwar Sanctuary houses around 25 tigers. Every year during the mating season, a few tigers migrate into the Adilabad region. This year, three tigers and one leopard have already been sighted. Officials said the animals are expected to stay for about three months before returning to Maharashtra by February after the breeding period.
Pugmarks have been traced in fields near Both, Bhimpur, Tamsi and Boraj mandals. To monitor their movement, forest officials have installed 12 CCTV cameras within the Both forest range and deployed two five-member tracking teams. Male tigers are said to travel from Tipeshwar through Bhimpur to Both and Sarangapur in Nirmal district, and then through the Adelli-Pochamma forest towards Kinwat in Maharashtra in search of tigresses.
Another male has reportedly moved towards Jannaram and Pembi Kawal reserve forests.
Recent sightings include a tiger near Gollaghad, Tamsi and Pippalkot villages in Bhimpur mandal on Saturday, and another at Chintalbori in Both mandal three days earlier. On October 26, forest officials confirmed tiger presence in paddy fields near Katodi village in Narnoor mandal.
Fear among farmers
In earlier years, tigers migrating from Maharashtra have attacked cattle and farm workers. Recently, in Asifabad district’s Navegaon and Islam Beat areas, forest staff found carcasses of cattle killed by a tiger. Fearing attacks, local farmers are avoiding fields after dusk and have been advised to work only between 10 am and 4 pm. Officials urged residents not to venture alone into forest zones and to move in groups if necessary.
Forest department on alert against poachers
Officials cautioned that increased tiger movement could attract poachers who track pugmarks. To prevent this, the department is closely monitoring tiger paths and avoiding public disclosure of locations. They are also dismantling illegal electric fences laid in agricultural fields to protect both humans and wildlife.
“Poaching networks, including international gangs, often identify tiger habitats. We are ensuring that information about tiger movements remains confidential,” an officer said.
