A lone tiger prowling the outskirts of Rajamahendravaram has turned rural life upside down, prompting a full-scale emergency response from Andhra Pradesh authorities. For five consecutive days, the animal has evaded capture, attacking cattle and heightening tensions in East Godavari.
The crisis escalated after confirmed kills in Bhupalapatnam, triggering multi-agency involvement including forest officials, law enforcement, and elite forces. Traps, darts, and surveillance are now blanketing the 20-km perimeter around the city.
Schools in the vicinity have been shuttered, with Collector Kriti Chakura pinpointing G. Errampalem as the epicenter—site of three calf attacks. Another fatality, a cow in Punyakshetram late Wednesday, amplified the scare.
Public advisories are clear: remain indoors unless essential, shun isolated farmlands, and report any tiger signs immediately without confrontation. ‘Do not harm or bait the tiger,’ stressed officials, prioritizing non-lethal capture.
Leading the effort, PCCF P.V. Chalapati Rao has greenlit sedation protocols, flying in specialists from Pune and Delhi. Cages baited with meat and tranquilizer gear stand ready.
Tracking data suggests this wanderer covered roughly 600 km in 15 days, crossing states from Maharashtra. Spotted Tuesday night near Diwan Cheruvu and NH stretches, plus near educational and convention sites, it disrupted traffic.
Local legislator B. Balaram Krishna hailed agency coordination for approved tranquilization. As teams maintain 24/7 vigils, the community holds breath, hoping for swift resolution to restore normalcy.