Malkangiri: Around seven goats and three sheep were killed by an ‘unknown wild animal’ at Dangascal in the Siadimal panchayat of Malkangiri district Tuesday afternoon. The village is 20 km away from Malkangiri Sadar block.
The shepherds of the village had gone out for grazing their goats and sheep to a nearby jungle. They left their sheep and goats on one side of the jungle and went for collecting Mahua flowers.
Around 5 pm they heard an unusual sound coming from the place where they had left their herds. Villagers and shepherds rushed to the spot and found that 10 of their animals had been killed and two were injured.
They launched a search operation and found no sign of any wild animal at the spot. The villagers informed local MLA Mansh Madkami about the matter.
Madkami informed the matter to the head of District Veterinary Hospital, Pradeep Kumar Dash. Dash and his team collected information about the 10 dead sheep and goats and sent the bodies for post-mortem Tuesday night.
The injured animals are being treated at the District Veterinary Hospital. Forest officials reached the spot and launched investigation.
Pradeep said the postmortem report will reveal the truth behind the matter. Injuries were seen on the necks and stomachs of the dead animals.
It may be mentioned here that this is the first incident of this kind in Malkangiri district. Afraid, the shepherds in the area are not sending their animals to the jungle now.
PNN