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Representative image | Photo: Mathrubhumi
Kalpetta: The forest department has reached a primary conclusion that the tiger which attacked the farmer in Puthussery, resulting in his death, reached the state from Karnataka. The tiger was tranquilised on January 14. It was clear from day one that the tiger was not registered under the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.
According to the forest department officials, this tiger’s presence was confirmed in the limits of Ulikkal and Payam panchayats in Iritty and the Aralam farm after it came out from the Karnataka forest region. The picture of the tiger taken from Aralam was examined in which similarities were found. However, more examinations have to be conducted in the matter.
It is also suspected that the tiger’s behaviour is similar to that of the animals protected in the conservation centres of the forest department. The tiger has travelled only through populated areas and fields without entering the forest these days.
The tiger has not hunted animals or captured any cattle. The forest department has only got the information of two dogs going missing these days.
The forest department’s assumption is that the tiger preyed on small animals found in the field. There are differences in the hunting methods of the tiger. Officials are of the assumption that the tiger is following the methods of animals protected inside cages.
The tiger was travelling during the night. On observing the footprints of the tiger, it was found that following the death of the farmer on January 12, it went into the forest after crossing a river on January 13, but returned and travelled till the border area of Vellamunda section in Mananthavady. The next day, the tiger travelled till the Padinjarathara section.
The tiger was tranquillised by forest guards at Kuppadithara, around 20 kilometres from Puthussery. The tiger has travelled for around 60 kilometres in Wayanad district.
It has not tried to enter the forest or attack any livestock. This is the reason for suspecting that the tiger was previously in a protection centre. There is a tiger protection centre under the Karnataka forest department too.
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