Another tiger attack has struck south Kodagu, this time in Nallur village. The incident occurred on Saturday within the limits of the Ponnappasanthe gram panchayat. A cow fell victim to the big cat, heightening tensions in the area.
Villager Flees for Safety
Villager Kokkalemada Somaiah was grazing his cattle when the tiger launched its sudden attack. Somaiah had to run for his life to escape danger. The tiger then targeted and killed one of his cows.
Forest Department Responds
Forest officials quickly arrived at the scene after receiving reports. Ponnampet RFO Gangadhar and DRFO KG Divakar led the response. They brought along the Rapid Response Team to assess the situation.
The team immediately started a combing operation to track the tiger. They set up camera traps in strategic locations. Officials also placed a cage in an attempt to capture the animal.
Farmers Demand Action
Karnataka State Farmers' Association district president Manu Somaiah visited the attack site. He expressed strong dissatisfaction with the authorities' response. The farmer leader demanded immediate action to capture the tiger.
Manu Somaiah revealed that the same villager had lost another cow to a tiger attack just days earlier. He accused forest officials of failing to capture the animal despite installing camera traps previously.
The farmers' association issued a clear warning. They will initiate legal proceedings if the tiger remains uncaptured within three days.
Growing Fear in the Region
Gram panchayat member Robin provided more context about the situation. He confirmed that at least three cattle have been killed by tiger attacks in recent days within the village.
The fear has now spread beyond Nallur village. Nearby communities including Besagur, Kirugur, Ponnappasanthe, and Bellur are experiencing heightened anxiety. Plantation workers are becoming increasingly reluctant to enter coffee estates due to safety concerns.
Tiger Identified
Meanwhile, forest officials have identified the tiger responsible for these attacks. ACF of the Thitimathi range, Gopal, shared details about the animal.
The tiger is estimated to be five to six years old. It has been given the code name 23 KH 31. Officials believe the animal originally came from the Nagarhole Tiger Reserve.
The forest department continues its efforts to capture the tiger as local residents remain on high alert. The situation highlights the ongoing human-wildlife conflict in the Kodagu region.
