Tiger that killed tapping worker in Kalikavu captured; caged on 53rd day

MALAPPURAM: The tiger that killed and ate Gafoor Ali (44), a rubber tapper at Kalikavu, has been captured. The man-eating tiger had fallen into the trap set up by the forest department. The tiger pounced on Gafoor from Kallamoola in Chokad panchayat on May 15. The tiger got trapped in the cage on the 53rd day.

The authorities termed it as the biggest tiger mission in recent times. A leopard got trapped in the cage set to capture the tiger in May. The tiger was trapped in the cage set in Kerala Estate C-1 Division.

The tiger pounced on Gafoor, bit him on the back of the neck, dragged him away and ate him, in front of Gafoor’s co-worker Abdul Samad. Three RRT teams of 20 members each were deployed in the area to search for the tiger and set up a cage. Live streaming cameras, drones and three cages were set up in the area. Two Kumki elephants and three veterinary doctors were also part of the mission.