Digapahandi: After the gap of a few months, the mystery animal once again spread terror among farmers as 23 sheep were found dead while another seven injured at Karapada village under this block in Ganjam district Saturday morning.
15 sheep of farmer Harischandra Gouda were found dead in the shed. Similarly, another eight of Lalu Gouda were lying dead with their intestines torn apart by the mystery animal. The incident spread tension among the farmers.
Later, block nominee Biswanath Pradhan alerted forest officials following which Digapahandi Ranger A Madhabilata and veterinary officer Asish Kumar Dora reached the village and launched a probe. The injured sheep were taken to the local veterinary hospital for treatment.
The officials seized the carcasses of the sheep and sent it for examination.
As usual, a shepherd of the village took the sheep for grazing and returned in the evening. The sheep owners then locked the sheep in their sheds and went to sleep. Locals believed the mystery animal had strayed into the village at night and attacked the sheep.
Even as the mystery animal disappeared for a few months, their reappearance has worried farmers. Locals approached ranger Madhabilata and sought necessary compensation for the affected farmers.
“The mystery animal has bitten the throats of the sheep and fed on their intestines,” said veterinary officer Dora. Similarly, ranger Madhabilata said preliminary investigation revealed a hyena had strayed into the village and attacked the sheep. I will ask my senior officials to compensate the farmers, he added. PNN
