Domestic animals attacked, skeletal remains found
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 02 2019: Cattle and goats reared at Chakha village in Senapati district near the State's border with Nagaland have been reportedly attacked by wild animals suspected to be tigers.

Chakha village former secretary P Namcha said that such attacks on domestic animals by predators suspected to be tiger happened at the village earlier too.

Cattle and goat reared about 5/6 Kms away from the village disappeared or were dragged away every day since a few days back.

A leopard cat was caught using a trap after it killed and ate a goat in March this year.

But the beast of prey which fed on both goats and cows is much bigger.

So far, 16 goats and 11 cows have been killed by the predator, Namcha said.

Even as one hunter of the village waited for the predator with a gun in hand, he hurried back home as the predator turned out to be very huge.

Even as the villagers came up with a proposal to catch the predator collectively, Namcha suggested that necessary action may be initiated after consulting the departments concerned.

Left-overs and skeletal remains of the domestic animals devoured by the suspected tiger have also been discovered.

Meanwhile some villagers have been sent to the forest to take photographs of the pugmarks left by the predator, said the former village secretary.

Notably, Forest Department carried out a study at Chakha village using camera traps to find out whether tiger and elephants are present in the area.

The camera traps captured pictures of animals which are generally considered as tiger's preys.

One Forest Department official said that camera traps laid at the village and adjoining forest areas are still there.

He said that the department would check images captured by these cameras.

Meanwhile, volunteers of Andro Kangjeibung Club and Divisional Forest Officer SW Suisa planted tree saplings at Andro Kangjeibung today as a part of Van Mahotsav celebration.

Tree saplings were also planted at the Tamei mission centre of Liangmei Naga Baptist Association, Manipur.

The tree plantation drive also featured a public meeting cum awareness programme which was attended by CCF W Yaiskul, DFO Arun RS, Honorary Wildlife Warden Dr Chambo Golmei, RDO Kh Hitler and S Khogen as presidium members.

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