Pulpally: After a tense 10-day search, the Forest Department successfully captured a rogue tiger that had caused widespread panic in the Pulpally area of Wayanad. The tiger was trapped late Thursday night, around 11:30 PM, in a specially crafted cage at Thoopra, Pulpally.
To lure the tiger, officials used an innovative cage design mimicking a goat enclosure. The animal, showing signs of exhaustion and a wound on its left paw, was promptly transported to the Irulam Forest Station for medical care. The tiger had ventured out of the forest and was frequently spotted roaming the coffee plantations in the Pulpally-Amarakuni region, where it reportedly killed five goats, heightening fears among the local population.
The delay in capturing the tiger led to significant protests from residents, demanding swift action from the authorities. Under the leadership of Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Ajith K Raman and Senior Veterinary Surgeon Dr. Arun Zachariah, the Rapid Response Team (RRT) spearheaded the extensive operation. This marked one of the Forest Department’s largest efforts, involving resources such as trained kumki elephants and advanced thermal scanners to track the animal’s movements effectively.
The successful capture of the tiger has brought much-needed relief to the community, highlighting the coordinated efforts and expertise of the Forest Department in managing such critical wildlife situations.
