5-member team loses way in Kerala forest stretch during tiger census

Palakkad, Kerala: A five-member forest team conducting the All India Tiger Estimation 2025–26 went missing in Attappady-Moolakombu’s Puthur forest area, prompting an urgent search operation. The group, which includes two women, became trapped after losing their way while on duty early Tuesday.

Rescue efforts under way

The team managed to contact colleagues by phone, alerting authorities to their situation. A Rapid Response Team (RRT) has entered the forest to locate and safely bring the officers back to inhabited areas.

Tiger census continues across Kerala

The first phase of Kerala’s tiger census is running from December 1 to 8 across 37 forest divisions. A major data-collection exercise is scheduled on December 8 along 2-km line transects.

Officials have instructed regional heads to ensure staff involved in the survey can return home to vote in the December 9 local body elections, with special arrangements for those in remote forest areas.

The second phase will analyse collected field data, while the final phase will include camera trapping in Periyar, Parambikulam, and neighbouring forests.