Tiger attack on cattle puts Eluru forest villages on alert

Forest officials in Eluru district have sounded an alert in tribal hamlets after a tiger attacked cattle near Devaragondi in the early hours of Sunday. The incident has put villagers on edge, and teams are now tracking the animal's movements.

According to forest personnel, the tiger has been moving through the Papikonda forest range and was last detected near Udatapalli village, close to the Polavaram project area. The big cat is believed to have strayed close to human habitation in search of prey.

In response, the Forest Department has issued a set of advisories for residents in the affected areas. Villagers have been urged not to enter forests for firewood collection or visit agricultural fields after dark. Officials have also asked families to remain indoors during the night, keep children inside, and ensure that cattle sheds are well-lit.

A forest official said the department is closely monitoring the tiger's movement and efforts are underway to trap the animal safely. The alert remains in place until the situation is brought under control.