The Kerala Forest Department has launched a major operation to capture a tiger responsible for a fatal attack on a tribesman in Wayanad. The order was issued by the state's chief wildlife warden, Pramod G Krishnan, following the tragic incident at Chethimattam, under the Vandikadavu forest station limits.
Official Order and Identification
Pramod G Krishnan granted formal permission to capture the tiger, which mauled tribesman Maran to death. The directive allows officials to trap or tranquillise the animal. This decision came after a technical committee, meeting in the district on Sunday night, successfully identified the specific tiger using images from camera traps installed just a day earlier.
Forest Minister A K Saseendran had earlier confirmed that directives were issued to capture the tiger involved in Maran's killing. Locals reported sighting a tiger near the attack site again on Sunday, heightening concerns.
Intensified Patrols and Capture Strategy
In response to the crisis, the forest department has significantly ramped up security measures. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS) warden Varun Dhalia outlined the action plan. To prevent further incidents, patrolling has been intensified with eight special teams. These teams, led by the rapid response units from Bathery and Mananthavady, consist of forest staff from WWS and the South Wayanad Division, conducting round-the-clock surveillance.
"A cage has been set up at the site of the incident to capture the animal. More cages will be installed after assessing areas where the tiger is likely to emerge. A tranquillising team has been kept on standby for emergency situations," Dhalia stated. The department has also deployed additional camera traps and live cameras to monitor the tiger's movements closely.
Aftermath and Community Tensions
The victim, Maran, was cremated at the Devergadda hamlet on Sunday evening. His body was handed over to relatives after a postmortem at the Bathery taluk hospital. The family received the first instalment of the compensation, amounting to Rs 6 lakh, which was given to Maran's children, Geetha and Ravi.
The postmortem process faced initial delays as the deceased's family held protests, demanding a permanent government job for Maran's son. They relented only after talks with the Additional District Magistrate (ADM). Local residents have also accused the forest department of lapses, citing insufficient surveillance in the area even after recent incidents of cattle killing by a tiger.
The situation remains tense in the region as authorities balance the urgent need for public safety with the challenges of wildlife conservation in a critical habitat.
