Koraput/Bhubaneswar: Just a few days after a radio-collared tiger from Andhra Pradesh’s Papikonda National Park was spotted at Motu forest range in Malkangiri district, signs of another big cat have surfaced after pugmarks were spotted nearly 200km away at Semiliguda forest range in Koraput district.Officials of the Koraput forest division have stepped up surveillance and issued an advisory asking residents of nearby villages to remain alert.Koraput divisional forest officer (DFO) Sidharth Jain said, “The district had no resident tiger population and the origin of the animal was being investigated. Since the animal does not have a radio collar, it is difficult to establish where it came from. While a radio-collared tiger was tracked in Motu region recently, this one seems to be a different one.”Principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), Prem Kumar Jha, said separate teams have been deployed to monitor both the animals. “Tracking the radio-collared tiger is relatively easier because its location can be monitored. The tiger in Semiliguda will require extensive field engagement and ground surveillance by forest personnel,” he added.Officials suspect the Koraput tiger may have come from Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, one of India’s largest tiger habitats. However, its origin has not yet been confirmed.“We are taking all precautionary measures to ensure the safety of people as well as the animal,” Jain added.The forest department has initiated precautionary measures in accordance with guidelines issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority. Awareness messages are being disseminated through public announcement systems in nearby villages, urging residents to remain cautious, avoid venturing into vulnerable forest areas and refrain from approaching or disturbing the animal.Rapid response teams and field staff have been deployed to monitor the tiger’s movement, identify its trails and map its locations to prevent any untoward incident, Jain said. “Also, we have appealed to residents to follow the instructions of forest personnel and immediately inform the nearest forest officials if they spot the tiger, notice its pugmarks or observe any unusual movement,” he added.