False post of tiger crossing highway near Madhugiri, goes viral on social networks

A false and misleading social media post showing a tiger crossing the path captured elsewhere in the past; was made stating that the incident occurred on Hindupur road in Madhugiri taluk, Tumakuru district, on Wednesday night.  

The message that went viral at about 8.30 pm on Wednesday, caused panic among people nearby and those using the highway.

On getting the news, Forest department officials rushed to the spot in the wee hours of Thursday morning for an inspection. They failed to find tiger pug marks in the area. People of the nearby areas joined Forest officers in the search.    

Forest officers who examined the picture said that it does not appear like it is taken on the highway. They confirmed that the picture must have been taken elsewhere and in the past, and not on Wednesday night on the Madhigiri--Hindupur Road as described.

They said that the post is probably a deliberate and mischievous attempt by someone to mislead people and cause panic. The villagers of the area agreed with the Forest department officers saying that they had sighted many leopards in the area, but never a tiger.  

Forest department officials confirmed that there were no tiger pug marks near Malenahalli road, nearby plantations and water spots.