Partially blind tiger strays into human habitat in Kerala’s Munnar; Trapped

0
93

[google-translator]

A tiger that raided human habitats and killed many domestic animals in Munnar area in Kerala’s Idukki district was trapped in a cage set up by the forest department on Wednesday night, said forest officials.

Divisional forest officer of Munnar, Raju K Francis said the male tiger was about 9-year-old and it was partially blind as one of the eyes was afflicted with severe cataract. He said six expert members formed as per the guidelines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority will take a decision on the future of the animal after treatment. Veterinary surgeon of the forest department Arun Zachariah also inspected the caged animal which was brought to the veterinary research centre in Devikulam, he said.

“After treatment the panel will submit a report to the chief wildlife warden and he will take a final decision on whether to release it in wild again or keep it in a zoo,” he said.

But local people who lost more than a dozen cattle said they will oppose releasing it in the wild in nearby areas. “We were told the animal moves around in 40-60 km radius in a few days for looking for prey and mate. Even if it is released 100 km away, chances are there that it will return to our area for easy prey,” said a tea estate worker, Palani Swami, who lost five cows three days ago.

The killing of a dozen -odd cattle in Neyamakkad and Kadalar areas in Idukki district had triggered a panic and many tea estate workers were scared to venture out of their houses in last two weeks. Agitated local people blocked Munnar-Udumalpetta road on Sunday demanding compensation and immediate steps to redress their grievances.

The protest was called off after Devikulam sub- collector Rahul Krishna Sharma assured them adequate compensation and immediate measures to locate the big cat and trap it. Forest officials installed night vision cameras and cages to track the movement and trap it. The forest department deployed more than 100 trained personnel and animal trackers which finally resulted in trapping the feline.

Forest officials suspect the animal from the nearby Periyar tiger reserve, which is home to 35 big cats as per the 2017 census, might have landed near human settlements after poor vision affected its hunting prowess. The pug marks of the trapped animal will be taken and compared with other tigers in the area to confirm its identity, they said. According to the 2017 tiger census, there are 190 big cats in Kerala. Parambhikulam, Periyar and Wayand wildlife sanctuaries are their favourite habitats.


Source link

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here