Tiger Spotted in Angul After Nearly 10 Years, Villagers Warned to Stay Alert

Angul: After nearly a decade, fresh evidence of a tiger’s presence has been recorded in Odisha’s Angul district, sparking both excitement and caution among forest officials and locals.

According to reports, pugmarks believed to belong to a tiger were discovered near Kankurapal village under the Chhendipada forest range on Wednesday. The tracks suggested that the big cat had crossed a nearby river and moved deeper into the forest.

Following the discovery, forest officials alerted nearby villagers through public announcement systems, advising them to avoid entering the forest area, particularly at night.

Regional Chief Conservator of Forests (RCCF), Angul, Sanjay Kumar Swain confirmed that the tiger, which had been roaming in the Deogarh area for the past month, entered the Chhendipada forest division two days ago. The information was earlier shared by the Rourkela RCCF, he added.

To ensure safety and monitor the animal’s movement, a special monitoring team has been deployed, and camera traps are being installed at key locations.

The Forest Department has urged villagers to report any sightings or fresh pugmarks immediately to the local forest staff to aid in tracking the tiger’s movement and ensuring community safety.