Angul: The worst-fear of people living in villages on the periphery of Satkoia Wildlife Sanctuary seems to have come true. The Tigress, which was released into the wild on August 18, reportedly strayed into a human habitation in Athamalik of Angul district by crossing Chanagodi Nullah to hunt a calf.
Named Sundari, she killed the prey and devoured it at Bipradiha village under Dhandatopa forest range on Sunday afternoon, sending shiver down the spine of villagers.
Bipradiha village is situated near Satkosia, with the forest on one side and farming lands on the other. The livestock belonging to the villagers often grazed in the forest area.
It is suspected that Sundari noticed the calf and waited for an opportunity to pounce on it. It then strayed into the village in search of the prey. Out of fear, the villagers preferred to remain indoors.
Earlier, villagers of about 20 panchayats had taken out a rally expressing concern over threat to their lives and that of the livestock because of the big cat. They sat on a dharna opposing release of the tiger from Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh into the wild of Satkosia Sanctuary.
Alleging indifference by the administration, the irate villagers had threatened to kill the tiger if the Forest Department failed to ensure their safety. They also slammed the department officials for denying them basic rights by closing down the forest roads and restricting their movement.
A male tiger was released into the wild on July 6. The following month, the Royal Bengal tigress, brought from Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, was also released with an aim to increase the population of the big cat in the sanctuary.
Following protests, Forest and Environment Minister Bijayshree Routray had urged the villagers not to panic. He had assured them that the big cat would never stray into human habitations since there was plenty of food and space in Satkosia.
There were several tigers in the sanctuary in the past and none ever harmed any human being, he had said.
