Kalpetta: A tiger that triggered panic in parts of Wayanad over the past two days has been successfully driven back into the forest, officials said on Wednesday.

The animal, identified as WL 112, a five-year-old male, had been sighted in the Padiyamvayal–Pachilakkad area since Monday. It was steered back into the Pathiri forest zone on Wednesday morning during an operation led by the Forest Department's Rapid Response Teams (RRTs).

Trackers confirmed the tiger’s return after identifying fresh pugmarks leading into the Pathiri forest region. Experts from the department verified the findings.

South Wayanad Divisional Forest Officer Ajit K Raman said there was no cause for concern as the animal had safely retreated into the forest. “We have ensured that the tiger is inside the Pathiri forest section. Its movement is being closely monitored by our trackers round the clock,” he said.

Search operations were launched on Monday after reports of the tiger’s movement emerged. As a precautionary measure, prohibitory orders restricting public movement were imposed in the affected areas, and a cage trap was installed. Wayanad District Collector D R Meghashree declared holidays for schools in the locality on Tuesday and Wednesday to facilitate the operation.

The tiger was earlier traced to a marshy paddy field at Cheekkalloor by Tuesday noon and was later spotted near human habitations at Mechierikunnu and Eranalloor, close to Pachilakkad. Videos showing the animal running across paddy fields had gone viral on social media, adding to public anxiety.

Rapid Response Teams from the Kalpetta, Sulthan Bathery and Mananthavadi forest divisions were deployed, with police, forest and revenue officials jointly coordinating the efforts. Two trained kumki elephants, Vikram and Bharat, from the Muthanga elephant camp also assisted in the operation.

Forest officials said no incidents of cattle lifting were reported, suggesting that the tiger was in good physical condition. They believe the animal may have ventured into human settlements while searching for territory or a mate, as the sightings coincided with the mating season of big cats.