The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has declared a male tiger a man-eater following two fatal attacks at Lauriston in O-Valley town panchayat near Gudalur in the Nilgiris, with a large-scale capture operation now underway. The declaration, made on 23 August, came after evidence confirmed the animal had consumed parts of its latest victim — a threshold that triggers formal man-eater classification under wildlife protocols.

The Two Fatal Attacks

The tiger, estimated to be between eight and ten years old, is suspected of killing K. Ravikumar, whose body was recovered around 2 pm on Friday, approximately 200 metres from his residence. The attack followed an earlier incident on 9 August, in which M. Balakrishnan, 58, of Field 4 in Lauriston Estate, was killed — his partially consumed remains discovered the same day. Forest officials believe the same animal is responsible for both deaths, citing matching pugmarks collected from the two sites.

Why the Tiger Was Classified a Man-Eater

Gudalur District Forest Officer P. Devaraj said the nature of the injuries and the consumption of body parts were the key factors in formally classifying the tiger as a man-eater. This classification carries significant operational consequences, including authorisation for lethal force if the animal poses an imminent threat to personnel during the capture attempt.

Capture Operation: Teams, Cages and Drones

Four specialised teams have been deployed to track and capture the tiger. Two seven-member ground teams are following the animal's trail by analysing pugmarks, scat, and other physical signs, while two additional teams are conducting aerial surveillance using drones. Each ground team has been equipped with a firearm and protective gear. Separately, six cages containing live bait have been placed along routes the tiger is likely to use, including areas close to both attack sites. Forest sources indicated that tranquilisation and capture remain the preferred outcome; however, personnel may resort to shooting the animal if it charges and poses a direct threat to human life.

Health Assessment and Next Steps

Officials have so far been unable to determine the tiger's health condition from camera-trap imagery. Devaraj noted that a reliable assessment can only be conducted after the animal is captured and examined by a veterinarian. A subsequent decision on whether to relocate the tiger to Arignar Anna Zoological Park at Vandalur or send it for treatment to the Wildlife Transit and Treatment Centre at Pethikuttai in Sirumugai will be taken after approval from Chief Wildlife Warden Rakesh Kumar Dogra.

Precautions for Residents and Estate Workers

As a precautionary measure, estate management has been directed to suspend work for several additional days in areas where tiger movement has been recorded. Forest personnel are advising residents to remain indoors at night and to avoid entering plantations or forested areas until the capture operation concludes. This comes amid growing anxiety in the Lauriston community, where two deaths within weeks have deepened fears about human-wildlife conflict in the Nilgiris landscape — one of India's most sensitive tiger habitats.