Siddapur (Kodagu):  Fear and panic has gripped the residents of Asthana tribal hamlet in Maldare village near Siddapur after a cow was killed by a tiger. The villagers have demanded the Forest Department officials to capture the tiger immediately.

The cow belonged to one Mala of Asthana tribal hamlet, who had left the pregnant cow for grazing near her house yesterday morning when the tiger suddenly attacked the cow.

Hearing the cow bellowing loudly, the villagers rushed towards the sound, during which the tiger on seeing the villagers managed to escape. The severely injured cow succumbed to injuries on the spot. 

Forest Department Veterinarian and staff, who rushed to the spot, conducted an inspection.

Meanwhile, the villagers have demanded that the tiger be captured immediately. 

They said that the tiger was spotted in coffee estates in Maldare limits and was attacking livestock since about a few months. 

The villagers also claimed that the tiger was spotted on the roadside on the main road near Mylathpura and a few youth had captured photos and videos on their mobile phone.

The villagers said that now the menace of tiger had increased in Karadigodu side and demanded the Forest Department officials to capture it.

The Forest Department personnel have installed two cameras at Asthana to capture the movements of the tiger, said Deputy Range Forest Officer (DRFO) Manjunath Guli.