Tiger 'Tholpetty 17' kills another cow in Kenichira; Locals block road in protest

WAYANAD: With a tiger killing two more domestic cows in Wayanad, the locals took to the streets in Kenichira and blocked the road in protest against the heedless attitude of the forest department and the government.

The tiger, tentatively named ‘Tholpetty 17’ has killed three cows in a single night at Kenichira. The locals are now terrified of the beast and fear stepping out of their houses even during day hours.

Four cows died in three days due to tiger attacks. In Kenichira, the cow owned by Kizhakel Sabu was killed around 10 pm and by the next morning, the tiger ventured into Maliyekkal Benny’s plot to kill two of his cows. The tiger later brutally attacked a three-year-old milch cow belonging to Varghese of Edakkad-Manthadam last Thursday. The forest department's move to set up a cage has not brought effective results.

Locals are now protesting by blocking the road with the carcass of a cow killed by the tiger. Sultan Bathery - Panamaram Road is currently facing traffic snarls. Meanwhile, Forest Department Minister AK Saseendran has instructed the forest officials to catch the tiger terrorizing the Kenichira region as soon as possible. If the tiger is evading the cage, the minister has given the yes nod to move ahead with a tranquillizer dart.