Dispersing Male Tiger on Cross-State Trek Puts Forest Teams on High Alert

A dispersing male Royal Bengal tiger has triggered heightened vigilance across parts of Maharashtra , Andhra Pradesh , and Telangana after moving through multiple districts over the past few weeks, killing livestock and straying close to human habitations. Forest officials say the animal’s long-distance journey reflects a natural territorial dispersal, but its proximity to settlements has raised safety concerns.

The tiger is believed to have originated from the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve landscape, with some assessments linking its route to forest corridors connected to the Kawal Tiger Reserve region in Mancherial district. Experts note that young adult males often travel hundreds of kilometres in search of territory and prey, using riverine belts and fragmented forest patches as movement corridors.

In East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, the big cat was sighted near the outskirts of Rajamahendravaram , including areas around Ankamma Talli Konda and nearby agricultural fields. Over five days, it reportedly killed eight cattle, moving through gardens, farms, and suburban pockets near busy transport routes, including stretches close to the Chennai–Howrah corridor. Authorities temporarily closed some schools in surrounding mandals and urged residents to avoid night travel and secure livestock.

Meanwhile in Telangana, the tiger’s movement has been tracked for nearly three weeks. First detected in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district , about 60 kilometres from Hyderabad, it later entered Jangaon district, where fresh pugmarks were found in a village under Lingala Ghanpur mandal. Officials described the sighting as rare for the region in recent decades. Though no human attacks have been reported, the animal is suspected of killing several cattle during its movement.

Forest departments across both states have launched coordinated monitoring operations. Teams equipped with camera traps, drones, thermal imaging devices, cage traps, and tranquilisation units are tracking the tiger’s path. Rapid response squads, police support, and wildlife specialists have been deployed to guide safe capture and relocation efforts. CCTV installations and village patrols have been stepped up, while awareness drives advise residents not to venture out alone after dusk.

Wildlife experts stress that such dispersal events underline the importance of maintaining functional wildlife corridors and ensuring timely compensation for livestock losses to prevent human–wildlife conflict. For now, authorities continue surveillance with an emphasis on caution rather than panic, aiming to safely guide the tiger back to a suitable forest habitat.