Boinda: Panic gripped residents in Bipradiha village under Dhandatopa forest range in Angul district after a tigress from Satkosia reserve forest brought from Madhya Pradesh strayed into the village and preyed on a calf Saturday.
The tigress named Sundari was brought from Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh by the state government as part of a move to increase the tiger population in Satkosia.
The tigress is believed to have made its way to Bipradiha jungle under Dhandatopa forest range from Satkosia and finally into the village where it killed a calf and feasted on it.
The calf belonged to Ramakanta Nayak. The incident has sparked panic among the residents with the village wearing a deserted look even during the daytime.
The villagers preferred to remain indoors and refused to venture out. They apprehend that the tigress might again stray into the village to feast on livestock and eventually attack people.
On being informed, a team of forest officials led by Tikarpada forest ranger Jayant Pattnaik rushed to the spot and started monitoring the movement of the tigress. The team also launched efforts to drive away the tigress back into Satkosia.
The villagers claimed that the tigress was first noticed when the cattle were grazing in the jungle on the outskirts of the village Thursday. The herd ran back to the village after noticing the animal.
The cowherds reported the matter to the villagers. The villagers holding sticks stood guard at all entry and exit points Thursday night.
After this incident, the villagers left their cattle to graze in a field where the tigress killed the calf. Earlier, a forest watcher is learnt to have escaped death after he was attacked by the tigress.
Meanwhile, the villagers urged the forest department to capture the tigress and send it back to Madhya Pradesh.
DFO Samyak Samantra of Athamallik forest division refused to speak on the tigress.
Satkosia DFO SNDT Raheman said the tigress is in the forests under Athamallik forest division where its movement is being tracked. A probe is on to ascertain the veracity of the claim that the tigress has killed a calf, he added.
PNN
