Man-eating tiger to be shot and killed in Kerala, forest dept prepares for hunt

Waynad: Kerala’s forest department is preparing for hunting a tiger who has been identified as a man-eater after the big cat killed a resident of Vakeri region. 

The 13-year-old male tiger (WWL 45) identified in the forest department's database has been identified as the tiger that killed the man in Wayanad a few days ago, the Kerala Forest Minister A K Saseendran confirmed on Thursday.

He stated that plans have been made to shoot and kill the animal, which has been identified as a man-eating tiger. 

On December 9, Vakeri resident Prajeesh's half-eaten body was discovered near a forest area in Kalpetta, Wayanad.

He is thought to have been killed by the tiger while gathering grass for his cattle.

Locals claimed the tiger was a man-eater, prompting calls for authorities to shoot the big cat.

The tiger is under close observation with 25 cameras and two cages ready for the operation, according to Saseendran, who also stated that the Chief Wildlife Warden has given the order to shoot the animal. 

The minister asked the public to cooperate with the measures put in place by officials, stating that there are five patrol teams, shooters, and doctors in the area.

His remarks came after a plea opposing the government's order to kill the tiger if it cannot be apprehended or tranquillized was rejected by the Kerala High Court.

Saseendran praised the High Court's ruling, which stated that the petition appeared to be filed more for public spectacle than for the benefit of the public, and that the petitioner organisation, Animals and Nature Ethics Community (ANEC), would have to pay a fee of Rs 25,000.