Pulpally/Wayanad: After creating panic in the Amarakuni and nearby areas of Pulpally, Wayanad, a tiger that preyed on domestic animals, was successfully captured by the forest department late Thursday night. The tiger was trapped in a cage set up in the Thupra region around 11:30 pm after a ten-day prowl that resulted in the loss of five goats.

The animal had earlier evaded capture despite being spotted near a cage at Oottikavala, which was placed near the carcass of a goat it had killed. Officials then intensified efforts. To support the mission, five cages, 32 camera traps, and two live cameras were installed in the region.

The operation, directed by veterinarian Dr Arun Zachariya and coordinated by Chethalath Forest Range Officer Rajeev Kumar, also planned to tranquillize the tiger. However, due to the absence of a viable opportunity, the team shifted their strategy to capturing it in cages.

The tiger was also sighted around 8:30 pm on Thursday on the Thupra-Devargadha road, and it startled passing motorists before being trapped hours later.