Tiger caught in wire fence captured and caged; youth congress with protest

KOTTIYOOR(KANNUR): Tiger trapped in a wire fence on a farmer's farm was captured by firing a tranquillizer shot and caged at Kottiyoor Panniyamala. Pulimootil Sibi, a native of Panniyamala, who had gone for rubber tapping at around 4 am yesterday, saw the tiger. By the time he came with his neighbours, it became clear that the tiger was trapped in the wire fence that had been placed on the border of the farm.

Forest department officials also reached the spot. The tranquillizer shot was fired after the roads to the area were closed as there was a possibility that the tiger might escape from the wire fence. After it was confirmed that the tiger was sedated, it was captured in a net and shifted to a specially prepared cage around 11:30 am. The tiger was brought to the Kandappunam forest department office. Youth Congress protested by stopping the vehicle carrying the tiger. The protest was to convey where the tiger is being released. Police intervened and removed the protesters.

DFO P Karthik said that the tiger is completely healthy. A decision will be made as to where the tiger will be taken after treatment for its hand injury. Consideration is being given to shifting the tiger to Thrissur Zoo.