, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, January 25, 2023
Amid mounting pressure following the tragic death of a tribal woman at Pancharakolly, the Forest department has launched frantic steps to capture the tiger that mauled her while she was collecting coffee beans on a plantation.
Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran has said the tiger will be shot and killed if all attempts to capture it fail.
Chief Wildlife Warden Pramod G. Krishnan issued a formal order late on Friday to capture the tiger in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
The first course of action will be to attempt to capture the animal using a tranquilliser or trap. “If the problematic tiger cannot be captured or tranquillised and remains dangerous to human life by turning into a man-eater, then the said tiger shall be hunted in strict adherence of the SOPs of the National Tiger Conservation Authority,” the order states.
Mobilised resources
To address the escalating situation, the department has mobilised significant resources to the region.
Personnel from the Thalappuzha and Varayal forest stations, equipped with 12 bore pump action guns, have been deployed to patrol the Pancharakolly area and its surroundings. Additional staff from the Irulum and Pulpally forest stations have also been sent to strengthen the ongoing efforts.
Cages have been set up in the area, and camera traps from the North Wayanad Division have been installed. More camera traps are being rushed from the South Wayanad Division. Thermal drones and standard drones have been brought in for aerial surveillance, while the Sulthan Bathery Rapid Response Team (RRT) is stationed at a base camp at Pancharakolly to maintain vigil in the area.
A team of expert shooters and veterinarians led by Chief Veterinary Officer Arun Zachariah has been deployed to the conflict zone. The department is also deploying kumki elephants from the Muthanga elephant camp, which have proven useful in capturing tigers in the past.
To coordinate the response to the unfolding situation, an incident command has been established, with K.J. Martin Lowel, Divisional Forest Officer, North Wayanad, appointed as the operation commander. The operation is being supervised by Chief Conservator of Forests (Northern Circle) K.S. Deepa.
Patrolling
Mr. Saseendran highlighted that patrolling in the region will be intensified, considering the potential risk posed by tigers and other wildlife, including elephants, which may be migrating into Wayanad from the neighbouring Bandipur region in Karnataka.
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