According to the locals, a cow was killed on Saturday in the paddy field close to the forest when it was let off for grazing and remains of another prey animal were found in a nearby area on Sunday.
After a tiger was captured on Saturday in Kerala’s Wayanad district, who mauled a farmer to death earlier this week, another tiger was spotted on Saturday itself in the district’s southwest division which, according to the people, killed a cow and created another round of panic among the villagers.
After the villagers spotted the tiger, the district administration called an all-party meeting on Sunday and called the forest department.
According to the locals, a cow was killed on Saturday in the paddy field close to the forest when it was let off for grazing and remains of another prey animal were found in a nearby area on Sunday, said forest officials.
“A rapid response team is rushed to the area and examining pug marks. We will take all measures to address the fear of people. We will install fresh cages after ensuring that domestic animal was killed by a tiger,” said Wayanad divisional forest officer A Shajana, adding officials were closely monitoring tip-offs provided by local people.
On Friday, the district observed a shutdown following the death of a 52-year-old farmer in another tiger attack. Agitated people wanted to shoot the animal even as the forest department strengthened its measures to dart the animal and capture it.
Meanwhile, forest officials have asked people to remain vigilant and asked people to cooperate with forest officials.
“The government will do everything possible to remove the fear of people. But it is not fair to block officials who carry out their work and vent anger on them,” forest minister A K Saseendran said.
After the recent incident in which the farmer was killed in a tiger attack, Saseendran on Friday said that Kerala will move the Supreme Court soon with a plea to restrict the number of wild animals in forests as animal attacks and incursions turned routine.
source: hindustantimes