Efforts on to tranquillize roaming tiger in Wayanad village

The Kerala Forest department has initiated measures to tranquillize a tiger that was spotted about two days ago in a farmland at Pachilakkad, near Kalpetta, in Wayanad district. Cage traps would also be set up soon in selected locations as part of the attempts to capture the animal.

Forest department officials said they have received official orders to use tranquillizer shots. A team of 80 officers has been deployed to coordinate the operations. They said the five-year-old tiger was found moving near a paddy field at Chekkallur, following which local residents were asked to stay alert.

Prohibitory orders

As part of the safety measures, the district administration issued prohibitory orders in five wards of Panamaram and Kaniyambetta panchayats. Schools and colleges in the area have been temporarily shut and term examinations postponed.

Meanwhile, some local residents alleged delay on the part of the rapid response team in capturing the animal on the prowl. They also claimed that the order to tranquillize the elusive big cat was delayed due to “official apathy.”