Balasore, July 24 (UDN): A farmer sustained serious injuries after being attacked by a suspected big cat near the Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha’s Balasore district on Friday. Forest officials have launched an investigation to determine whether the animal involved was a tiger, a leopard or another wild species.
The incident occurred near Balianala, where Sunil Singh, a resident of Natapada village, had gone in search of his cattle after they wandered into the forest fringe while grazing.
According to family members, Singh encountered a wild animal soon after entering the forest. Despite suffering multiple injuries, he reportedly fought back for nearly 30 minutes, trying to fend off the animal until fellow farmers, alerted by his cries for help, rushed to the spot and rescued him.
He was initially taken to a hospital in Nilagiri for emergency treatment before being shifted to Balasore as his condition required advanced medical care.
Speaking to reporters, Singh’s wife, Geeta Singh, said her husband told the family that he had gone to retrieve the cattle when the animal attacked him. She credited the timely intervention of villagers with saving his life.
Meanwhile, the Forest Department has urged caution against drawing conclusions before the investigation is complete.
Balasore Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Prakash Indalkar said a team of forest personnel has been deployed to inspect the site and collect evidence, including pugmarks and other signs, to identify the animal responsible for the attack.
The DFO noted that while the victim’s family believes the attacker was a tiger, there is no official confirmation at this stage. He pointed out that bear attacks are relatively common in the region and are sometimes mistaken for tiger attacks by local residents.
Officials will also examine whether the animal could have been ‘Yamuna,’ the tigress known to inhabit the Kuldiha forest. However, the DFO said the tigress has so far remained deep inside the sanctuary and has not been known to venture into nearby villages or attack people.
Forest authorities said the exact species involved will be confirmed only after field verification is completed. They have also appealed to residents living near forest areas to avoid venturing into the woods alone and to immediately inform the Forest Department about any wildlife movement.