Rayagada: Royal Bengal Tiger (RBT) scare has gripped Gunupur area of Odisha’s Rahagada district. A video of a big cat moving around the area has gone viral.
According to sources, a tiger is seen taking a stroll in Vamini area of Srikakulam district of neighbouring Andhra Pradesh in the viral video. The area is very close to villages in Gunupur of Rayagada district.
As the video reportedly went viral on social media, residents of villages in the area of both the states are in a state of fear.
On being informed, forest department officials of Srikakulam visited the area to examine the ground situation and ascertain the veracity of the scene in the viral video.
Though the villagers have not seen the RBT, pug marks were sighted in some places, according to forester Rama Rao. The villagers have been advised against venturing into the forest and observe caution. They have been asked not to take their domestic animals into the forest.
Similarly, Deputy Ranger of Gunupur, Nila Madhab Padhi said that there is no threat to the people of Odisha villages as the RBT appears to be moving in Andhra area. A close watch is being maintained in border areas and necessary steps have been taken in coordination with the forest officials of Andhra Pradesh, he added.
