Tiger that killed tribal woman in Wayanad to be shot if capture fails

Mananthavady/ Wayanad: The Forest Department has decided to shoot and kill the man-eater tiger at Pancharakolly if attempts to capture it fail. The decision follows the death of a tribal woman, Radha (48), a Meenmutti resident, who was mauled by the animal while harvesting coffee beans on Friday morning.  

Minister for Forests and Wildlife Protection AK Saseendran confirmed the action plan, emphasising that human safety is the top priority. Chief Wildlife Warden Pramod G Krishnan stated that field-level officers have been instructed to locate and capture the tiger and, if necessary, take lethal action as per protocol. "An order will be issued later in compliance with the protocol. Human safety is given priority now," he said.

Additional cages will be deployed to aid the operation, and more veterinary experts and Rapid Response Team (RRT) members will be mobilised. The Forest Department will also increase its patrolling along the Bandipur-Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary corridor. 

Radha’s death has sparked widespread protests in the region, although the agitation was later called off. She had been dropped off at the farm by her husband in the morning, and her body was discovered around 11 am. Following an inquest, it will be shifted to Wayanad Medical College, Mananthavady.  

The government has announced financial aid of Rs 11 lakh for Radha’s family, of which Rs 5 lakh will be disbursed immediately. Minister for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes Welfare, O R Kelu, who visited the site, also faced protests from local residents voicing their concerns over recurring tiger attacks.  

Radha is the wife of Achappan, a forest watcher.

Will accelerate procedures to implement fencing: OR Kelu
Minister O R Kelu has assured that efforts to expedite the implementation of fencing in the region will be prioritised. Addressing the delay caused by tender-related issues, he said a new tender would be initiated soon.

The minister stated that the cabinet would decide to offer a job to a family member of the deceased. "We have engaged in discussions with representatives from all political parties and Radha’s family," he noted. “As part of the compensation, Rs 11 lakh will be given to the victim’s family, with Rs 5 lakh being provided right away."

The minister assured that, given the likelihood of the tiger remaining in the area, Rapid Response Team (RRT) officials will be deployed to ensure the safety of plantation workers.

Hartal on Saturday
The Congress District Committee has called for a dawn-to-dusk hartal in the Mananthavady municipality on Saturday, protesting the government’s failure to address recurring wildlife attacks and ensure public safety. Essential services such as milk supply, newspapers, and healthcare will remain exempt from the strike, the party stated in an official release.

Additionally, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) has also announced a hartal in the region on the same day.

To declare tigers as man-eaters
The Forest Department adheres to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) guidelines when declaring big cats as man-eaters. According to these guidelines, even if conclusive evidence is lacking to establish an animal as a man-eater, immediate steps should be taken to trap it if there are credible grounds to suspect such tendencies following a single human kill. 

Efforts to tranquillize such animals must begin immediately. If it is confirmed that the animal is a man-eater, it should be officially declared such, and appropriate measures, including destroying it, must be taken per the standard operating procedure.  

Department officials stated that reports from the field are being collected to issue the necessary order in compliance with these protocols.