Panic spread among Parimal villagers in Tihudi under Niali block in Odisha's Cuttack on Saturday after they discovered a dead animal near the Devi river and mistook it for a tiger cub.

According to reports, the sighting triggered panic among local residents before the Forest Department intervened and clarified the species identification.

Dead Animal Spotted on Riverbank

According to reports, some villagers who had gone out early in the morning for defecation spotted the lifeless animal lying on the riverbank. Assuming it to be a tiger cub, fear spread rapidly across the locality, prompting residents to alert forest officials.

Local villager Malay Lenka said the initial sighting caused considerable anxiety in the area. He stated, “Early in the morning, we saw an animal lying dead on the riverbank. We initially thought that it was a jaguar and informed the Forest Department. However, the officials later said that we need not worry as it is a fishing cat.”

Forest Officials Identify Species

Forest officials soon reached the spot and conducted an assessment, confirming that the carcass belonged to a fishing cat and not a tiger as feared.

Forester Trinath Pradhan said, “This is a fishing cat that survives mainly on fish. We suspect that it died last evening. Villagers need not be scared, as it does not attack humans. These animals feed on fish and rodents.”

Assurance to Villagers

The clarification came as a relief to the residents who were initially terrified due to the mistaken identity. Forest officials urged locals not to panic and to report similar incidents promptly so that proper examination can be conducted.

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Fishing cats are known to inhabit wetlands, riverbanks and mangrove areas, and sightings occasionally occur in coastal districts.