A fatal tiger attack in Wayanad has heightened fear among forest-fringe communities amid rising wild animal intrusions during the breeding season.

A 65-year-old tribal man was killed in a tiger attack in Wayanad on Saturday (December 20), triggering panic and protests in nearby villages. The deceased, Maran, also known as Kooman, belonged to the Devargaddha Madappally tribal settlement under the Vandikkadavu forest station limits.

The incident occurred around noon when Maran entered the forest with his sister to collect firewood. According to local sources and police, the tiger attacked him near the Kannarampuzha river, close to the Kerala-Karnataka border, and dragged him deeper into the forest. His sister managed to escape.

Search operation and death confirmed

Residents alerted forest officials immediately, following which a search and rescue operation was launched. Maran was traced around 2.30 pm. Forest officials said he was alive when found but succumbed to severe injuries either at the spot or while being shifted out of the forest.

The body was found with fatal wounds, confirming death due to the tiger attack.

Protests over recurring wildlife attacks

The killing sparked strong protests by local residents, who gathered at the site and later at the forest office, demanding urgent action against repeated wild animal attacks. At one stage, protesters refused to allow the body to be removed.

Forest department officials and police intervened to control the situation. The protest subsided only after assurances were given that the tiger would be captured, the family would receive Rs 10 lakh compensation, and one family member would be provided a temporary job in the forest department.

Pulpally police said a case would be registered after recording statements from Maran’s relatives.

Breeding season raises risk levels

The incident has intensified anxiety as it occurred soon after the start of the tiger breeding season, which began in the second week of December. The Forest and Wildlife Department had earlier issued warnings urging people living near forest boundaries to remain vigilant.

Locals claim tiger sightings in human habitations have increased in an unprecedented manner. On December 15, a tiger entered a residential area at Pachilakkad, triggering panic. The animal was spotted again the following day in nearby areas.

Despite sustained efforts by the forest department, information emerged only by Wednesday afternoon that the tiger had moved back into a deep forest zone.

Series of sightings and cattle kills

On December 16, a tiger was sighted in the Thirunelly area, where it killed a calf belonging to M M Subrahmanyan. On December 18, tiger presence was reported again at Pulpally Cheeyambam, where a grazing bull was killed and consumed.

Surveillance and containment measures

The forest department authorised the use of a tranquiliser gun and cage traps if efforts to herd the tiger back into the forest failed. Extensive surveillance was carried out using thermal drones to track the animal through dense vegetation, small hills and orchards.

Footprints were confirmed at multiple locations, including Cheekallur and Kesavamarar coffee plantations. Earlier, authorities had declared holidays for educational institutions in certain wards of forest-fringe panchayats as a precaution. Road closures were also imposed in some areas to ensure public safety.

Officials said technical challenges, including the tiger not preying on domestic animals for two days, delayed efforts to sedate or trap it. Authorities maintained the tiger is in good health but poses a serious risk due to its proximity to densely populated settlements. 

Measures announced include clearing vegetation near residential areas, increasing surveillance and continuous monitoring using cameras and drones. However, Saturday’s fatal attack at Devargaddha has deepened public anxiety and local discontent with authorities.

Forest officials said efforts are under way to track the tiger involved in the attack and drive it back into the forest.