Masinagudi’s nightmare ends, man-eater tiger captured, relocated to Vandalur zoo

Gudalur (The Nilgiris): Villagers of Masinagudi heaved a sigh of relief on Thursday evening after the man-eater tiger that recently killed and partially devoured a woman fell into a trap set by the Forest Department. The animal was later shifted to the Vandalur Zoo in Chennai.

According to a Forest Department communiqué, the tiger is around 12 years old and suffering from age-related ailments. As per National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) guidelines, an expert team examined the animal and recommended that it be moved to captivity, deeming it unfit for hunting due to its poor health.

The Forest Department launched the hunt after Ragiyammal, a woman grazing sheep on her farm at Mavanahalla, Masinagudi, was attacked and killed in broad daylight on November 24. Identified as MTD 37, the tiger had been lifting cattle in the region for several months. Frequent sightings had left the villagers terrified, fearing an imminent attack.

Officials said camera traps were installed and images were cross-verified with the department's wildlife database to confirm that the captured tiger was indeed the one responsible for the attack. As protests intensified, the department deployed cameras at 29 locations and set up five cage traps.

Due to the animal’s advanced age and ill health, it was transported to the zoo without administering tranquilizers.

In an unusual turn of events, villagers blocked the Ooty road at Mavanahalla, alleging that the tiger captured was not the one that killed the woman and demanding that the “right tiger” be caught. Police arrested and removed 17 protesters, who were released by evening.

To address public concerns, the Forest Department brought 16 villagers to identify the tiger. The villagers later confirmed that it was indeed the man-eater that had been on the prowl, following which the agitation was called off.