After nine cattle kills, Explorer calmed down

A male tiger, Explorer, roams the Rajavommangi forest area of ​​Polavaram district. Photo: Special arrangement

The forest department has launched a search operation to tranquilize the male tiger named Explorer after it allegedly killed nine cattle in two villages in the Rajavommangi forest area of ​​Polavaram district on May 27, 2026. However, no attacks on people were reported.

In an official statement, Chief Conservator of Forests (Rajahmundry) Th. Jyothi said, “The tiger killed nine cattle, including eight cattle in Pedarelangipadu and Chikilintha villages and one animal in Vathangi Beat in the Rajavommangi Forest Range.”

Earlier, the tiger was tranquilized on February 6 in Kurmapuram village of Dr. BR Ambedkar Konaseema and was later released at Papikonda National Park on February 14 after a week at Visakhapatnam Animal Rescue Centre.

To avoid any untoward incidents in the tribal habitations, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Forests and Environment K. Pawan Kalyan directed the forest department authorities to capture the tiger.

“We have deployed personnel, wildlife experts, veterinary teams and are coordinating with local and police authorities to effectively manage the situation and calm it down,” Ms Jyothi said.

Published – 29 May 2026 21:25 IST