Shyam Sundar Vattam
Mysuru
A wave of tiger attacks in Sargur, H.D. Kote and Nanjangud taluks has left farmers in severe distress, with more than 20 cattle killed over the past one month. The repeated incidents have triggered fear across villages bordering the Nagarahole forest region, deepening concerns over human–wildlife conflict in the district.
According to residents, the pattern of attacks has remained the same. Once a tiger corners a grazing cow or calf, it reportedly sucks the blood, tears open the hind portion and eats a part of the flesh, leaving the carcass for scavengers. This brutal method of hunting has shocked villagers who depend heavily on livestock for their livelihood.
The latest incident occurred on Saturday in H.D. Kote taluk, where a cow grazing in an open field was pounced upon by a tiger. Before nearby villagers could react, the predator vanished into the dense vegetation. Forest department officials rushed to the spot, but, as seen in many previous cases, the tiger had already disappeared by the time they arrived.
Farmers allege that tigers have been playing hide-and-seek with the forest staff for weeks. Despite intensified patrolling and the capture of two problem tigers in recent operations, attacks have not subsided. The department has set up camera traps, deployed additional staff and placed cages in vulnerable locations, but the elusive big cats continue to strike unpredictably.
With each cattle head valued between ₹25,000 and ₹60,000 depending on breed and age, the cumulative loss to farmers has become substantial. Many affected families are demanding quicker compensation and stronger measures to prevent further attacks.
In Hosaholalu village, located near the Dammankatte Safari Centre of Nagarahole adjoining the Kabini backwaters in H.D. Kote taluk, a tiger killed a cow on Saturday. The villagers informed the Forest Department, following which ACF Madhu, RFO Siddaraju and the staff conducted an operation at the spot.
Villagers now fear that with winter approaching and cattle frequently grazing in forest fringes, the situation may worsen unless the authorities take decisive steps to control the movement of tigers entering human landscapes.
