Tiger that has given sleepless nights for Kurukanmoola natives spotted, soon to be tranquilised

A photo of the wounded tiger released by the Forest department.

Wayanad: Forest Department officials have claimed that the tiger that has given sleepless nights to natives of Kurukkanmoola in the district has been spotted.

The DFO has claimed that the Rapid Response Team that was tracking the animal has located it inside the Begur Reserve Forest and will tranquilise it soon.

The tiger has reportedly killed at least 16 domestic animals over the last 17 days.

The other day, upset by the delay in capturing the animal, a group of villagers had a brawl with forest guards. The villagers had complained that the officials were dallying on the mission.

A forest guard had claimed that the locals had brandished a knife at a member of the Rapid Response Team.

Irate villagers had approached Wayanad Wildlife Warden S Narendranath and Chief Forest Veterinary Officer Dr Arun Zacharia with their complaints.

They had claimed that the Forest Department has failed to catch the tiger when it was spotted at Puthiyedam. Municipal councillor, Vipin Venugopal was allegedly pushed down by forest personnel, resulting in a commotion.

The protesting villagers later blocked the vehicles of the Forest Department and demanded that action should be initiated against the forest guards.

The Forest Department officials claimed some people were trying to target their colleagues who have been on a mission to catch the tiger without proper food and rest.

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