Forest Dept to tranquillise tiger in Wayanad village; prohibitory orders in place, schools shut

Wayanad: Forest officials have decided to tranquillise the tiger roaming the Padiyamvayal–Pachilakkad area of Panamaram in Wayanad. According to officials, thermal drones will be used to locate the wild animal. The 80-member team deployed for the mission started the search to trace the animal around 8 am on Wednedsay. 

Forest minister AK Saseendran said that the tiger would be tranquillised and captured soon. 

“Around 100 officials have been deployed for the mission. Five range forest officers and two DFOs are overseeing the operation. Two drones, eight cameras and two kumki elephants are being used. Officials will dart the animal at the right time after assessing the situation,” said Saseendran.

Ajith K Raman, South Wayanad Divisional Forest Officer, confirmed that the tiger will be tranquillised as per protocol. The decision was taken after efforts to drive it back into the forest on Tuesday failed, he said.

“Camera traps and surveillance cameras are installed for tracking its movement. It was last spotted near Eranalloor temple on Tuesday. We have resumed the search. Pug marks are being followed by the officials to trace the tiger. RRT team and veterinary doctor are continuing the search. The terrain including plantations and the fog are posing challenge to locate the animal,” said the DFO. 

On Tuesday night, the tiger strayed into a paddy field and disappeared after entering a coffee plantation. 

Meanwhile, the Forest Department has identified the tiger as WL 112, a five-year-old male. 

Though the tiger has been spotted in the village over the past two days, no lifting of domestic animals has been reported. Hence, it is assumed that the tiger came out of the forest in search of a partner at the beginning of its mating season. The officials confirmed that the animal is not injured. 

A high alert has been sounded in the Panamaram region after the Forest Department launched the mission to capture the big cat. The district administration has imposed prohibitory orders in the area. A holiday has been declared for all educational institutions in wards 6, 7, 8, 9 14 and 15 of the Panamaram grama panchayat and wards  5, 6, 7, 18, 19, 20 and 21 of Kaniyambatta grama panchayat. Exams will be postponed, said collecor DR Meghasree in the order.  

The forest's Rapid Response Team has been patrolling the region since Monday. 

The animal was traced to a marshy paddy field at Cheekkalloor by Tuesday noon and was later sighted at night in human habitations at Mechierikunnu and Eranallloor near Pachilakkad. Visuals of the tiger running across a paddy field have since circulated widely on social media.

Search operations have been underway since Monday following the tiger’s movement, which triggered panic among residents.