The tiger, which has been giving sleepless nights to the forest department and people alike with its migration in the non-forest areas of Telangana, is now moving north, raising hopes of its eventual return to the Kawal Tiger Reserve.
Teams tracking the animal confirmed its presence in Arepally village of Siddipet district on February 8 and said it was moving in a northerly direction. The movement follows an earlier confirmed sighting and recording of fresh pug marks on February 6 and 7, the forest department said in a statement.
A camera trap image released by the department shows the big cat quenching its thirst at a body of water. Officials advise residents of Shanigaram, Koheda mandals and people around Arepalla to follow the safety protocols in place regarding restricted movement. Avoid going out unless necessary, especially at night, and travel in large groups if necessary, say villagers.
They are also advised against installing live electric wires/traps and securing livestock in safe shelters. Officials informed that there was a fresh slaughter of cattle and that all cattle owners would be compensated on the spot.
To ensure the safety of the public as well as the tiger, the department has intensified operations by forming dedicated patrolling teams across Siddipet, Jangaon, Karimnagar and Yadadri districts, the statement said.
These teams actively conduct outreach to educate residents about safety protocols while monitoring the landscape to ensure the animal’s safe passage. Specialized tiger rescue teams from Pune have been deployed and expert assessments are ongoing. If the situation warrants, capture will be considered as per the strict standard operating procedures of the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the statement said.
The tiger, which migrated from the Tipeshwar sanctuary in Maharashtra, entered the Kawal Tiger Reserve and crossed the Godavari river to enter the non-forest areas more than two months ago. Since then, the animal is constantly on the move, probably looking for territory or a partner. It had been roaming around the Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri junction, Jangaon and Siddipet for almost a month, giving rise to rumors that it had marked its territory there, which forest officials denied.
Published – 09 Feb 2026 21:24 IST
