VISHAKHAPATNAM: An elusive tiger and a herd of elephants are giving sleepless nights to the inhabitants of interior villages in Anakapalli and Parvatipuram Manyam districts.
The tiger caused panic among the villagers by killing a calf in the wee hours of Thursday at Nakkavanipalem near Askapalle under Sabbavaram mandal in Anakapalle district. The carcass of the calf was later found on the outskirts of the village.
Based on information given by the villagers, forest officials reached the spot, examined the carcass and recorded the pugmarks of the big cat.
The police and forest officials sounded an alert in villages surrounding Nakkavanipalem on the movement of the tiger. Officials said the tiger had killed cattle at several places in recent weeks.
Inhabitants of the villages surrounding Nakkavanipalem are a worried lot, fearful the tiger would strike again.
Officials said a tiger killed some cattle and caused panic in parts of Vizianagaram district. It was not known whether this was the same tiger or another one. Forest officials brought a big cage from Uttar Pradesh last month but the tiger gave a slip to the trap.
In another incident, a herd of wild elephants damaged crops between Khadgavalasa and Santhosapuram villages under Garugubilli mandal in Parvathipuram Manyam district. The farmers there appealed to the forest department to take immediate action. Elephant trackers have been deployed to watch the movement of the tuskers.
