Tiger released into Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) causing alarm in Vandiperiyar villages, where it's been moving into human areas for almost two months. Captured in Munnar, tiger was freed in Gavi's dense forests on April 2 but soon wandered into local tea plantations, worrying workers.
Situation escalated Friday evening when tiger attacked cow belonging to Mathiyazhakan, a Vandiperiyar panchayat member . The cow came home injured, fueling resident fears. Saturday morning,around 9:30 a.m.,laborers spotted tiger in Granby tea plantation,raising area anxiety.
Workers now reluctant to work or even travel through affected regions: Granby, Thankamala, Arnakkal. Tiger's presence poses real safety threat,causing widespread panic.
Forest Department responding to recent incidents with drone surveillance to track animal . Chief Conservator of Forests D.K. Vinod Kumar said special operation will be launched to tranquillize and capture tiger. “The tiger is camping in area, suspected same animal that attacked cow Friday evening,” Kumar stated. Traps are set,but tiger hasn't entered yet.
Official admits dense,abandoned tea plantations with wild bushes complicate efforts. “When we chase animal,it retreats into thick bushes and stays there,” he explained. Forest Department has contacted Idukki Collector, asking for overgrown areas to be cleared,plans to follow up.
Initially,tiger spotted in Thankamala late April but briefly retreated into forest. Reappeared in Granby on May 14 and has since roamed several locations: Sathram,Vallakkadavu,Arnakkal, Granby, raising ongoing concerns for locals and authorities…
