Bhanjanagar: After a brief lull, the fear of mysterious animal(s) killing sheep loomed large again in the state late Saturday night after at least 10 sheep were found dead in Tamanad village under Jagannathprasad block in Ganjam district.
Villagers woke up to find the sheep dead with their intestines missing. While some carcasses were found in a cattle shed of the sheep farmer, many were found in the village street. Villagers believed that the animal might have killed the sheep in the shed and dragged it to the village street.
According to sources, a farmer Neera Nayak had tied all his sheep in a shed Saturday night after grazing them in a forest nearby the village.
Sunday morning, Neera was woken up by villagers after spotting the carcasses. He then rushed to his shed only to find the dead sheep with deep nail indentations on their neck parts pointing at predator attack.
Pug marks very similar to that of the mysterious animal were also seen by the side of the carcasses. Later, locals called up forest officials and sought their help to tackle the situation following the incident.
After getting information, a team of forest officials arrived at the spot and took stock of the situation. The carcasses were seized and sent for autopsy.
The repeat of the mysterious animal attack after a brief gap has once again spread fear among the sheep farmers.
It may be noted here that seven domestic animals including four lambs and three sheep have been killed by the mysterious animal in Kunchudu village under Buguda block August last year.
Earlier in July in the same year, separate hunting by predators in Badapathara and Kupati village had left a number of sheep dead. The incident started from Niali where a number of sheep were killed by the predator.
Even as a year has passed to the mysterious killing, the forest department has failed to understand the killing. While forest officials are trying to sideline the attack by claiming the mysterious animals to be hyenas, the incident still remains a mystery.
PNN
