Kurnool: A series of wildlife deaths across the Rayalaseema region has raised concern among forest officials and conservationists. The latest incident was reported on Friday in the Atlur forest range of Badvel constituency, where a deer was found dead and another injured after an alleged attack by stray dogs.
According to local sources, the injured deer was rescued by villagers and shifted to the Badvel Veterinary Hospital for treatment. Forest officials confirmed that the other deer succumbed to injuries caused by the dog attack.
The latest incident comes in the wake of the back-to-back deaths of two tigers in the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) over three days. One tiger was found dead on July 28, a day before International Tiger Day, in the Nandikotkur forest area of Nandyal district. Another was found dead on July 31 in the Racharla Forest Beat of the Gundlakamma Range in Markapuram district. The carcass was found with its legs severed and claws missing, prompting forest officials to investigate whether the tiger died of natural causes or was a victim of poaching or poisoning.
“We are yet to ascertain the exact cause behind the tiger deaths. A detailed report will be submitted to the government soon,” said a forest range officer from Srisailam.
The back-to-back tiger deaths have heightened concern among officials, especially at a time when tiger numbers in the reserve are believed to be increasing.
Forest officials and wildlife experts pointed out that the shortage of drinking water in forests such as Nallamala and Lankamala is forcing animals, including deer, leopards and even tigers, to stray into human habitations in search of water, making them more vulnerable to accidents, attacks and poaching.
Forest officials recalled a series of wildlife deaths in the region in recent years. In May 2026, an adult tigress, reportedly pregnant, was killed after being struck by a goods train on the Nandyal-Giddalur railway line passing through the Nallamala forest in the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR). In April 2026, a young male leopard, estimated to be two to three years old, was found dead near Doddipalli village on the outskirts of Chittoor. Forest officials concluded that the animal had succumbed to injuries sustained during a territorial fight with other resident leopards. In February 2026, a leopard was found dead in a mud-lined pond near a temple on the outskirts of Rayadurgam in Anantapur district. Forest officials said the animal had entered the pond in search of water during severe dry conditions, became trapped in the thick mud and was unable to escape. In 2025, a leopard was killed after being hit by an unidentified vehicle near Penukonda, while several deer died in road accidents in the Uravakonda and Kalyandurg areas. In 2024, two leopards aged about two years were found dead near Madakasira in Anantapur district.
Forest officials also suspect illegal hunting is contributing to wildlife deaths.
“Some miscreants are setting traps along animal movement routes. Deer caught in these traps are being killed and the meat is sold illegally,” a forest official said.
Nandyal divisional forest officer said the department had initiated measures to reduce the movement of wild animals into human settlements.
“We are setting up water troughs across forest areas and deploying staff to ensure they are filled regularly. This will help reduce animal movement into human settlements,” the DFO said.
However, the frequent deaths of wildlife, including tigers, leopards and deer, continue to be a matter of serious concern. With hundreds of deer entering agricultural fields, they are increasingly falling prey to traps and road accidents. Officials admitted that the rising mortality rate during ongoing wildlife monitoring exercises was deeply worrying.
“The situation needs urgent and coordinated intervention to protect wildlife and prevent further losses,” a senior official added.
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