The tiger on the long meandering journey in Telangana’s non-forest areas has killed three calves in one day, near Arepally village in Koheda mandal of Siddipet district, sending shivers down the spines of local residents. However, it has eaten only one carcass completely.
The young tiger suspected to be four to five years of age, has killed around six cattle, all calves, in a span of two days, sources informed. Rescue teams inspecting the trails left by the feline found six carcasses of calves on Monday. Forest officials from the district, however, refused to comment.
It is learnt that the tiger is returning to the kills two days after the attack, to partake of the meat. While it is unusual for an adult tiger to kill so frequently, wildlife experts attribute it to stress and human disturbances. Fully grown tigers usually kill once a week or 10 days depending on the size of the animal.
“It is not unusual for a tiger to go on a killing spree when it is under stress. It is called surplus killing, and resorted to by the animals in specific conditions, for instance, when it rains copiously,” says an expert under the condition of anonymity.
Also, tigers instinctively kill more frequently when there is easy availability of abundant prey.
