Siddipet: The killing of domestic animals by unknown wild animals continues

Siddipet: Farmers in Chinnakodur mandal are in panic as a wild animal has been on a killing spree of domestic cattle, especially goats, sheep and calves. The forest department is yet to identify the wild animal, while farmers claim it is a hyena. Forest officials initially thought the attack was carried out by a pack of stray dogs. But, dogs do not usually move from one village to another. When these attacks were reported in Machapur, Chandlapur and Chowdaram, forest officials concluded that it was a wild animal. However, they could not identify it based on the footprints found in these three incidents. The first attack took place on May 22 in Machapur village, when over 60 sheep of farmer Poonam Mallaiah were killed. The last incident took place on June 10 in Chandlapur village, where the animal killed two goats, while a calf was injured in the attack. In another attack, the animal killed two calves and goats. Speaking to Telangana Today, DFO K Srinivas said that 68 sheep and goats and two calves have been killed in the attacks so far. Apart from putting the farmers on high alert, Srinivas said they have also installed a cage besides installing three camera traps to capture and identify the wild animal. Srinivas said no hyena activity was observed in Siddipet district, refuting the claims of the farmers. However, they observed a pack of jackals attacking domesticated animals. Since there was no forest nearby, the attacks also surprised the officials. The DFO said they are making all efforts to trace the animal. The farmers have appealed to the government to immediately capture the wild animal and release it safely in the forest. Farmer Mallaiah said that farmers and cattle rearers are also scared to step out of their homes since the first attack took place in May. These attacks have become a topic of discussion in the villages of Chinnakodur mandal.