Kalpetta: A problem tiger in Amarakkuni near Pulppalli struck again in the early hours of the day, killing another goat. In response, the District Collector declared a local holiday for four schools in the area on Monday. The four schools are MMGHSS, Kappiset; Sree Narayana ALP School, Deva Matha ALP School, Adikkolli; and St Mary’s English Medium School, Adikkolli.

Despite night vigils conducted by various forest department teams, including the Rapid Response Team (RRT), the elusive tiger managed to strike again. This time, it targeted a goat belonging to Kesavan, a farmer near Devargadda, just 1 km from Amarakkuni. The holiday was declared to ensure the safety of children, many of whom belong to tribal settlements and traverse coffee plantations to reach school.

The forest department issued warnings to local residents, urging them to remain indoors as the mission to capture the tiger commenced early in the morning. Cage traps were set in the area. Neighbours of the affected farmer reported seeing the tiger drag away the goat.

Three teams of forest department personnel, supported by kumki elephants Konni Surendran and Vikram from the Muthanga elephant camp, have begun search operations in the surrounding jungle. To overcome the challenges posed by dense vegetation in coffee plantations, the mission is also employing drones equipped with thermal scanners. A team of veterinarians affiliated with the forest department, led by noted wildlife expert Dr Arun Zachariah, is on standby with rifles, darts, and tranquilising doses to safely capture the animal.