Man eating tiger caged in Wayanad, not to be released into forest 

KALPETTA: The tiger that has been constantly horrifying the residential area in the Vandikkadavu area of Wayanad has been caged. The tiger was trapped in the cage set up by the forest department around 1:30 am yesterday. It has been confirmed that this tiger, identified as WWL 48, killed the tribesman Maran. Authorities have clarified that this is the same tiger that was constantly hunting domestic animals in the Vandikkadavu area.

The forest department has been monitoring the presence of WWL 48 tiger in this forest area since 2018. The tiger, which had been missing for some time, returned recently. The forest department has informed that it will not be released back into the forest. It is assessed that the tiger, which is about 14 years old, may have reduced its ability to hunt prey due to old age, which is why it returned to the residential area. At present, the decision is to shift the tiger to the forest department's conservation center after health checks. There, it will be subjected to regular checks led by veterinary doctors.

Meantime, the locals have alleged that they have seen footprints of three other tigers in the Vandikkadavu area. The forest department has warned that since it is presently the breeding season for tigers, there is a high possibility that they will leave the forest and return to the area. Therefore, the authorities have strictly instructed not to go into the forest to graze cattle or collect firewood.