Tiger journey along the Godavari River in search of suitable territory

NEWS CHARIOT (TELANGANA, JAN.5) : Tiger movements along with the Godavari river bank has become a major concern for both the officials of the forest and police departments and leaving them sleepless, apart from that the people living in the surrounding villages of forests are panicked and worried about the possible potential attacks of tiger in Warangal of Telangana.

One and a half month back, the tiger from Chhattisgarh state entered into Telangana via Godavari riverbank. The footprints of the tiger were first spotted in Mulugu and then in Bhadradri Kothagudem and re-entered into Mulugu, then moved to Warangal from Mahabubabad districts. After two weeks’ absence, the tiger sighted again earlier in Mulugu forests and then in Rudragudem of Nallabelli mandal in Warangal district on the same date three days back.

The Mulugu District Forest Officer (DFO) Rahul Kishan Jadav speaking to Deccan Chronicle said that the mother tigers will look after their male cubs until they grow to one and a half year to two years and then will abandon them. Then the young tigers will go in search of its own territory.

The sub-adult tiger that entered into the Telangana state is of two-years-old which was identified based on its footprints. The Godavari belt area in Mulugu, Khammam, Bhupalpally and Mahabubabad districts has thick and dense forest. Apart from that the tiger will choose a territory which is safe to it and has a fair amount of food and good environment, he added.

Mahabubabad DFO B.Vishal  speaking to Deccan Chronicle said that normally tigers are very shy and avoid entering into human habitation that is why it is roaming in dense forest regions. Since it is a young male tiger, it would not have any problem in hunting and cannot be considered as a man-eater. The tigers which are old and not able to hunt will attack people

A tiger can travel 35-40 kilometers daily and survive without food for up to four days after a successful hunt. It might be probably searching for a female for mating as the winter is the best season for tigers to mate and increase their population. Because of the dense leaf litter that was present in the forest regions, it is becoming a little difficult for the forest staff to race the tiger movements, he added.

However, the public has been warned against provoking the tiger if they sighted it, as it might lead to attacks. Villagers have been advised to inform forest officials immediately if they spot the tiger, they are also cautioned to avoid visiting field at night and roaming alone.