The “man-eater” tiger responsible for the death of a woman in Wayanad district was found dead on Monday morning, after a week-long search operation. The female tiger, believed to be around 4-5 years old, was discovered behind a house in the residential area of Pilakavu. Wildlife officials confirmed the tiger had killed the woman just two days earlier, while she was collecting coffee beans near the forest edge.
An autopsy conducted on the tiger revealed chilling evidence. Forest officials discovered the victim’s hair, clothing, and earrings in the animal’s stomach. “The hair, dress, and two earrings of the deceased woman were found when its intestine was examined. So, we can say without any doubt that it was the same tiger,” said one official, confirming the tiger’s involvement in the fatal attack.
The woman, identified as Radha, was attacked while working on a coffee plantation near the forest’s boundary. Her tragic death sparked protests in the area, and the Kerala state government declared the tiger a “man-eater” on Sunday, authorizing its culling.
Post-Mortem Reveals Injuries from Territorial Fight
Following the discovery of the tiger’s body, a post-mortem was conducted by an expert panel of doctors, with public representatives and police in attendance. Chief Wildlife Warden Pramod G Krishnan confirmed that the tiger’s death was likely caused by fresh injuries sustained in a territorial fight with another tiger. The autopsy revealed four significant wounds on the tiger’s neck, indicating it had engaged in a fierce battle before retreating further into the forest.
“We believe the injuries were caused by a territorial dispute with another big cat. The tiger had likely been weakened during the fight, which contributed to its eventual death,” Krishnan explained.
Search Mission Continues Despite Tiger’s Death
A special wildlife team, led by Chief Veterinary Surgeon Dr. Arun Zachariah, had been working around the clock to track the tiger. Despite efforts to tranquilize the animal during the early hours of Monday, poor visibility prevented success. The tiger was later found dead in Pilakavu, likely after having sustained injuries from the earlier fight. Dr. Zachariah noted that the tiger’s body showed both old and fresh wounds, suggesting a prolonged struggle with other tigers in the area.
Kerala’s Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran addressed the media in Kozhikode, calling the tiger’s death a relief for local residents, particularly those living in Pancharakolli, the area where the woman was attacked. He commended the wildlife officials for their efforts, emphasizing the risks they faced in capturing the dangerous animal.
While the tiger’s death marks the end of this particular threat, Minister Saseendran assured that the search operations would continue. The forest department has extended the search in Wayanad, particularly in areas where tiger sightings have been reported. A high-level meeting has been convened to divide the search zone into six sections, with the operation set to continue until Thursday.
Ongoing Concerns Over Human-Wildlife Conflict
The tragic incident highlights the ongoing issue of human-wildlife conflict in Kerala, particularly in areas where forested regions and human settlements are in close proximity. Despite the relief of capturing the “man-eater” tiger, authorities are continuing to monitor the situation to ensure the safety of both the residents and wildlife in Wayanad.
The state’s efforts to balance human development with the protection of wildlife continue to be a delicate challenge, as incidents like these bring the dangers of human encroachment on wildlife habitats into sharp focus.
Sources By Agencies