Residents panic as pugmarks of ‘tiger’ found in Khordha forest

Fear gripped residents of Padmapur area under Tangi block in Khordha district after pug marks of a big cat were found on the outskirts of the village in Sullia forest.

While patrolling, a team of forest officials spotted the animal's pug marks and warned the villagers about the movement of the big cat in the area.

As per reports, a carcass of a bull was found lying in the jungle a couple of days back. The pug marks of the animal were found near the carcass. From the pugmarks, it is suspected to be those of a big cat. 

Though the local villagers have not seen the animal as yet, they are in a state of panic. Trap cameras have been installed at various places in the forest to track the movements of the animal. Vigil has also been kept on the movement of the big cat through drones.

“While patrolling in the forest, we saw the pug marks and confirmed that those were of a big cat. However, we are not yet sure whether it is a tiger or a leopard. It has killed a bull and eaten some of its flesh. We have warned the people in the area to be careful," said Padma Charan Barala, a forest official.

“Forest officials have warned the villagers about the movement of a big cat in our area. They have told us not to go to farming work alone and always move in a group. Forest officials are patrolling in the area. We are also making people alert to be careful,” said Sekh Abid Hussain, a local resident.