Gudalur, Sept. 6
Fear has gripped Vimalagiri and nearby villages in Tamil Nadu’s Gudalur region after a male tiger repeatedly strayed into residential areas, attacked cattle and was reportedly seen near a primary school.
Responding to concern among residents, the Forest Department has begun an operation to capture the animal. Two cages have been positioned at locations, while 25 camera traps are monitoring its movements. Additional personnel have been deployed across the locality.
Officials said the tiger had killed cattle in Vimalagiri, Makkamoola and Ambalakadu and had been entering inhabited areas even during daylight. Photographs taken by residents during its visits over the past week intensified demands for urgent action.
The department clarified that this tiger was different from the suspected man-eater linked to the deaths of two people at Lauriston in the O-Valley forest range. Chief Wildlife Warden Rakesh Kumar Dogra has authorised separate operations to capture both animals.
Farmers in Vimalagiri have been advised not to leave cattle grazing unattended and to keep livestock inside secure sheds. The warning follows repeated sightings in a landscape dominated by houses, farmland and small coffee and tea estates.
Gudalur Divisional Forest Officer P. Devaraj said the capture operation was launched promptly because the area has limited forest cover, increasing the likelihood of encounters between the tiger and people. Veterinarians may tranquilise the animal if its location and surrounding conditions permit a safe procedure.
Officials believe the tiger could move towards the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, which is less than five kilometres away by aerial distance.
Meanwhile, personnel searching O-Valley recently responded to another reported sighting but could not establish whether the animal was the suspected man-eater. Officials obtained only a partial view before it disappeared among rocks. Monitoring and capture operations are continuing in both areas, with teams prioritising the safety of residents.
