Karnataka   

The killer has been trapped

IN SAFE CUSTODY: The tiger, which killed several heads of cattle, trapped in a cage near Virajpet.

Madikeri: A tiger that accounted for killings of over 30 heads of cattle at Teralu, T. Shettigeri, Birunani, West Nemmale, Nalkeri and surrounding villages in Virajpet taluk of Kodagu district for over two months fell into the trap set by the Forest Department at Teralu on Monday night.

The male tiger, aged around 10, walked into the cage placed near the shed of a resident of that village around 9.30 p.m. to kill the prey that was tethered inside the cage at one end.

The tiger walked in from the open end into the cage and the door immediately fell, trapping it inside. In one compartment of the cage, the prey, a goat, had been tied to lure the animal into the cage, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Virajpet Division, S.D. Pathak, told The Hindu.

“Catching tigers by placing a cage is not an easy job as the animals are intelligent,” Mr. Pathak said.

People from the neighbouring villages started gathering at the spot to have a glimpse of the killer, which had been haunting them. Zilla panchayat member Balakrishna, Range Forest Officer Gajanana Bhat and Sub-Inspector from the Ponnampet police station reached the spot in the night.

Residents of villages, who had lost cattle in the tiger attack, reportedly demanded higher compensation than what was being given to them.

Residents resisted attempts by the Forest Department officials to shift the tiger on Tuesday saying they would allow it to be shifted only after being paid compensation for 32 heads of cattle killed by the tiger. Efforts of B.M. Mallesh, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Madikeri Division; Lakshman, Assistant Conservator of Forests; and Gagajana Bhat and Nagaraj, Range Forest Officers, to convince them proved futile.

Residents did not budge even after two police officials tried to convince them. Moves to find solutions through the Deputy Commissioner, who was contacted over telephone, did not work. They demanded that Mr. Pathak visit the spot.

Finally, Nanjappa, veterinarian, who had reached the spot on Tuesday, said the tiger had sustained injuries in the head and it could die succumb if not shifted and treated. Tiger was on the endangered species list and in the event of its death, it could have serious repercussions. Residents agreed to this point and the animal was shifted to Mysore zoo later in the afternoon.

Mr. Pathak said the department would not relent at this as there could be one more tiger. “I don’t see the problem is over,” he said. This was only a temporary relief, he said.

Tiger had killed a 65-year-old man a couple of years ago at Palleri at Nalkeri in Virajpet taluk. His half eaten body was found inside the forests later by the Forest Department. Another 25-year-old tribal, resident of Kolli hadi in the Nittur-Karmadu gram panchayat limits in Virajpet taluk, was killed by a tiger last year. He was attacked when he had gone to answer nature’s call, about 100 metres away from his hut.

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