Paralakhemundi: A Royal Bengal Tiger has been spotted near Santoshpur village situated close to the Gandahati waterfall under Rayagada block in Gajapati district, Friday. Notably, reports of the tiger dragging away a cow from a cattle shed in the village surfaced October 18.
Subsequently, after complaints were lodged by the locals, the Forest department personnel set up trap cameras in Santoshpur and its adjoining areas in order to track the movement of the Royal Bengal Tiger. They also collected its footprint samples. The presence of the tiger in the area came to the fore after the trap cameras captured its photograph Friday.
Subsequently, a high alert has been issued in the whole area. People in Santoshpur and its surrounding villages have been warned not to venture outside after 6 pm in the evening. The Forest department also warned the villagers to keep their livestock in safe places.