Forest Department staff are on full alert in Hanchipura village, which borders Omkara range of the Bandipur National Park, following reports of an attack on livestock.
A buffalo was reportedly attacked and partially eaten by a wild cat; the local community fears that it could be another tiger on the prowl. The incident was reported on Wednesday, after which Forest Department staff stepped up the vigil in the area and advised people against venturing into the forests.
However, H.C. Kantharaj, Director, Bandipur Tiger Reserve, told The Hindu that there were no forests close to the village in Nanjangud taluk, although there were plantations.
“We cannot say whether a tiger is on the prowl based on pugmarks alone. We have installed six cameras apart from placing a cage with live bait. If the animal strays out again, the cameras will enable us to ascertain its identity,” he added. The local community has been on tenterhooks ever since the buffalo’s death. The killings of five people in the Bandipur-Nagarahole belt are still fresh in their minds.
