MANANTHAVADY: Chief Wildlife Warden Pramod G Krishnan has issued an order to shoot and kill the man-eating tiger that killed a tribal woman in Pancharakolly in Wayanad. The order was issued after a special committee, formed in accordance with the Central Government's Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), met and recommended the action. Subsequent actions are being taken in line with the SOP guidelines. The order states that if it is not possible to capture the tiger using traps or tranquillizers and relocate it to a non-populated area, the tiger may be shot.

The forest department was forced to issue an urgent order to shoot and kill the tiger after people staged a protest in the region. Traps have been set up, and a specialised team is patrolling the area at night with rifles, ready to shoot the tiger on sight.

The incident occurred near the forested area of Pancharakolly in the Mananthavady municipality. The victim, Radha (45), was the wife of forest department watcher Achappan. The attack happened around 11 am on Friday when Radha was on her way to pluck coffee on a private plantation. It was the Thunderbolt squad that found her body during a routine forest patrol. The location is adjacent to the Priyadarshini Tea Plantation in Pancharakolly, where the government resettled tribal people who had been freed from bonded labour.

In 2019, Radha's house was destroyed in a landslide. Radha and her family were staying in a nearby shed while their new house was under construction. She is survived by two children: Anil (24) and Anisha (22).

Eighth tiger attack death in Wayanad
2015, February 10: Tiger killed Bhaskaran in Noolpuzha
2015, July: Babu killed in Kurichiad
2015, November: Basavan killed in Tholpetty
2019, December: Jadayan killed in Padichira
2020, June: Basavan Kolli Sivakumar killed in Pulpally
2023, January: Thomas killed in Puthussery
2023, December: Pratheesh killed in Vakeri Moodakolli

Wildlife Attacks in Wayanad
151 people: Killed by wild animals in Wayanad from 1980 to 2023
86 people: Killed in Thirunelly panchayat alone during this period
645 people: Seriously injured by wildlife over 43 years
250 houses: Destroyed by wild animals
95 vehicles: Damaged by wild animals