Tiger Triggers Panic in Wayanad; Kumki Elephants Deployed to Trace the Wild Animal

The local residents of Kurukanmoola near Mananthavady in the Wayanad district of Kerala are not able to sleep due to the menace of a trigger. Around 15 domestic animals were killed by the wild creature in the last two weeks. Hence the forest department has deployed 'Kumki' elephants (trained captive elephants) to trace the tiger.  

Forest officials have set up five cages to trap the tiger, but the efforts didn’t work. Hence, they deployed two highly trained elephants on Tuesday and a tiger capturing team is also camping in the region. Moreover, the district administration has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC in several places of Mananthavady municipality. 

Villagers who are frightened and lost their cattle in the tiger's hunt demanded that the animal be captured at the earliest.

The camera footages installed by the forest department in Kurukkanmoola and its premises indicates that the animal is about 10 years old and has a deep wound around its neck.

The officials assumed that it might be injured after getting caught in a snare trap made for pigs.  

The kumki elephants can be used to carry out search operations in possible hideouts and drive away from them.  

The tiger has created havoc in the village as it moves around Kurukkanmoola from November 29 and fed on smaller animals like goats and calves. Forest officials explained that the vicious animal consumes domestic animals because it is not capable of hunting due to the deep injury. They informed that all necessary steps are being taken to capture the tiger and after that proper treatment will be given to him.

It is not a rare incident for residents of Wayanad, witnessing man-animal conflict. Wild animals such as leopards, wild boars, elephants, and monkeys are a menace to the farmers in the region, as they suffer crop loss due to their attack.