Minister says wolves could have killed sheep

As the mystery over the killing of large number of sheep in Niali area in Cuttack district continues, Odisha Forest minister Bijayshree Routray today said a pack of wolves could have killed the sheep.
Routray said a pack of wolves locally called rama siyala could have killed above 150 sheep in Niali area during a span of 60-days as their pugmarks have been found near the site of occurrence and also because of its hunting style.
The Forest Minister informed that a burrow supposedly used by the wild animal as its hideout has been identified at the Bhanragarh forest near Niali.

Routray, however, said no one has so far seen the wild animal which has killed a large number of sheep in the area.
"What appears from the pugmarks, it's of the wolf variety which is called rama siyala in Odia. Till date, no one has seen the creature. A burrow used by the animal as its hideout has been identified," the minister said.
He said the Forest department officials are patrolling in the area and are on the vigil to catch the wild animal.

Meanwhile, a youth from Bengali Sahi in Niali area was attacked supposedly by the unidentified animal last night.

Meanwhile, the Odisha Human Rights Commission taking cognisance of mass killings of sheep in Niali by unknown creatures, today issued notices to the state government.
Taking up a petition filed by High Court lawyer Nishikant Mishra, the Acting Chairman of the Commission Justice (Retd) B K Mishra issued notices to as many as seven government officials, including the Cuttack district collector.
The officials have been asked to file separate reports within two weeks stating as to what actions have been taken by them in the matter to remove the fear from the minds of the locals and to save their domestic animals.

Sources said the Forest Department is going to install CCTV cameras at some vantage locations to capture the images of the killer animals.