Tiger Sighted Near Gogulapudi and Kavadigundla Villages in Bhadradri Kothagudem

A tiger sighting near Gogulapudi and Kavadigundla villages in the Aswaraopet mandal of Bhadradri Kothagudem district on Saturday night has triggered panic among local residents and prompted forest officials to issue safety warnings. The tiger also attempted to attack a cow grazing near the fields before retreating, leading to the deployment of tracking teams on Sunday.

According to local reports, the big cat was spotted near the villages on Saturday night. It attempted to attack a cow, but retreated into the forest due to the movement of the cattle and the alertness of the villagers. Following the incident, the villagers immediately alerted the Forest Department.

On Sunday, forest officials cautioned residents against venturing into the forest areas and advised them not to let their cattle graze in the vicinity. Special tracking teams have been deployed to comb the region for pugmarks to confirm the tiger's presence and monitor its movements.

The movement of the tiger has also raised concerns for devotees visiting the Sri Gubbala Mangamma Thalli Temple, which is located near the Andhra Pradesh–Telangana border and close to where the big cat was spotted. With the temple season expected to draw visitors, forest officials have advised devotees to inform the authorities before visiting the temple or to avoid the area if possible.

This is not the first time the tiger has been active in the area. In February, the same tiger was spotted in the Gogulapudi and Kavadigundla areas, where it successfully attacked and killed livestock. At that time, forest officials captured the tiger and fitted it with a radio collar before releasing it back into the forest.

Forest authorities are currently making public announcements to ensure public safety and are working to determine whether the tiger remains in the area or has moved deeper into the forest. With fresh pugmarks found in the villages, residents have been urged to remain cautious, particularly during the evening and night hours, and to report any further sightings immediately.