Panic grips Koraput, Kandhamal after videos of tiger roaming go viral

Panic gripped residents in parts of southern and central Odisha after separate videos purportedly showing a tiger roaming in forested and border areas of Koraput and Kandhamal–Boudh districts went viral on social media.

In one clip, believed to be from Puruna Sunabeda under the Semiliguda forest range in Koraput district, a large cat resembling a tiger is seen wandering near the OUAT forest area. In another video, reportedly shot near Gadiapada Ghat along the Kandhamal–Boudh border, the animal is seen crossing the road in broad daylight as a biker passes by. The footage was said to have been captured by a traveller from inside a moving car.

The viral clips have triggered widespread fear among villagers in both regions. Phulbani Forest Range Officer Asalata Digal said that forest personnel have been sent to the site to look for pugmarks and verify the authenticity of the sighting. If confirmed, awareness measures will be taken and the tiger’s movement will be closely monitored, she added.

“We are scared after watching the viral video. We cannot go outside for a walk. The forest department should take necessary measures,” said a local resident.

Meanwhile, in Koraput, forest officials have stepped up surveillance in the Sunabeda area by installing trap cameras and deploying patrol teams. However, no photographic evidence or pugmarks have been found so far.

Koraput DFO Bhaskar Rao, who personally joined night patrols, said, “Preliminary verification suggests the animal in the video is not a tiger but a fishing cat. People should not panic, as no signs of a tiger have been detected in the area.”

Also Read: Possible sighting of tiger triggers panic in Koraput’s Sunabeda, trap cameras installed

Authorities have urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information on social media until official confirmation is made.