Hyenas wreak havoc; kill scores of calves

Husnabad (Siddipet): In a shocking incident which came into light only a few days ago, a pack of hyenas have been wreaking havoc in some villages of Akkannapet mandal, killing several calves. Farmers dependent on cattle for livelihood are seriously getting affected by the loss of these calves, as their mothers have stopped giving milk having lost their babies.

For the past couple of months, residents of Motkulapally, Katkuru and Manikyapally have been witnessing tragic deaths of calves. Farmers who tie their cattle near their agricultural lands during nights are waking up in the morning just to find the babies of their buffaloes and cows attacked by what they believed initially to be the work of stray dogs.

In Pedda Thanda of Mothkulapally, around 15 calves (all under two years of age) have been found either dead or in critical condition. In Katkuru, 25 to 30 calves have been killed while two other calves were killed in Motkulapally village. In Manikkyapally, a fully grown cow was found dead.

Sensing it to be the work of some wild animals, Badugu Ramchander, Sarpanch of Katkuru, called the Forest officials to investigate. The officials found that the wounds on the animals could not be caused by dogs as there were injuries in the back of the neck, thighs and other tender body parts.

The animals were making large holes in the bodies and eating away whatever is inside. Every other day a calf in these areas has been dying. Forest officials, after carefully analysing the footprints and evidence, found that hyenas which may have ventured into the villages were killing the calves.

Forest officials laid two cages in the neighbouring hillocks and the Sarpanch arranged for lambs to be put as bait inside the cage. However, the attacking pattern of the hyenas seems well-planned. The hyenas, after attacking in one village, have been shifting their next target to another village or another location in the same village.

They have not been venturing in the same area and this has been making it more difficult for the Forest officials to capture the hyenas. The issue came to light a few days ago and the hyenas have not been caught yet. On Saturday night yet another two-months-old baby calf was attacked by the hyenas.