Injuries Reported as Forest Dept Official Attacked by Tiger in Wayanad
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Synopsis
An official from the Kerala Forest Department was injured during a tiger capture operation in Wayanad. The incident followed a previous attack where a local woman lost her life. The situation remains tense as efforts to capture the tiger continue.
Key Takeaways
- Kerala Forest Dept official injured.
- Operation to capture a man-eating tiger.
- Previous tiger attack resulted in a fatality.
- Extensive team deployed for capture efforts.
- Local residents express discontent over delays.
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 26 (NationPress) An official from the Kerala Forest Department’s Rapid Response Team (RRT) was injured during an operation aimed at capturing a man-eating tiger in Wayanad on Sunday.
The incident took place while the team was on a patrol in the forest where the presence of the tiger had been confirmed. The injured team member, known as Jayasoorya, was attacked by the tiger shortly after he attempted to tranquilize the animal.
In a quick reaction, he used his protective shield to defend against the tiger's charge, but unfortunately, he sustained injuries to his hand. He was swiftly taken to the Government Medical College Hospital in Mananthavady for medical attention.
Jayasoorya was part of a 28-member team that was actively involved in the operation earlier that day.
The tiger had previously attacked and killed a local woman named Radha (47), the spouse of a temporary forest watchman named Achappan, on Friday, January 24. Radha was picking coffee cherries in Priyadarshini Estate located in Pancharakolly village when the tiger struck. Her disfigured body was later discovered by Thunderbolt commandos who were in the area conducting a combing operation for Maoists.
They located the body around 11:30 a.m., following tracks that suggested the tiger had dragged it into the nearby woods.
A specialized team led by Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Arun Zachariah and Dr. Ajesh Mohandas, alongside expert trackers, has been assigned to the area to locate and safely capture the tiger.
About 100 personnel from the Forest Department, including darting specialists, trackers, and veterinarians, are taking part in the operation.
K.J. Martin Lowell, the Divisional Forest Officer of the North Wayanad Division, is supervising the extensive search.
Numerous traps have been strategically placed, and surveillance cameras along with thermal drones have been deployed to keep track of the tiger’s movements.
Kerala Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran visited Radha's family to offer condolences and assured them of the government's full support.
However, local residents expressed their discontent by waving black flags at the minister, indicating frustration over the prolonged efforts to capture the dangerous tiger. The situation in the region remains tense following the attacks.
