Tamil Nadu's forest department has launched an operation to trap a tiger that has been repeatedly wandering into residential colonies and farmland in Gudalur, Nilgiris district, after it killed several cattle and triggered panic among villagers.
A tiger roaming in broad daylight
Forest officials say the animal, spotted near Vimalagiri close to Nambalakottai in the Gudalur forest range, is entering populated areas not just at night but even during daylight hours. It has killed cattle in Makkamula, Ambalakadu and Vimalagiri, and has also been seen near a primary school, raising concern for children's safety. Over the past week, residents have shared photographs of the tiger prowling through their settlements and have demanded urgent action from the forest department.
To track and eventually capture the animal, officials have placed two cages at strategic locations and installed 25 camera traps to monitor its movements around the clock. Additional forest staff have also been deployed on the ground to prevent any direct confrontation between the tiger and local residents.
Not the suspected man-eater, officials clarify
Many residents feared this could be the same animal suspected of killing two people at Lauriston in the O-Valley forest range, but officials have clarified that the tiger roaming Vimalagiri is a different animal from the suspected man-eater in O-Valley. Chief Wildlife Warden Rakesh Kumar Dogra has issued separate permissions to capture both tigers, meaning two independent trapping operations are now underway at the same time.
In O-Valley, forest staff searching for the suspected man-eater received tip-offs from locals about the tiger's presence but could not confirm whether it was the same animal involved in the fatal attacks. Gudalur Divisional Forest Officer P. Devaraj said his team caught only a partial glimpse of the animal before it disappeared among the rocks.
Shrinking forest cover, rising risk of encounters
P. Devaraj explained that the department decided to launch the capture operation without delay because the forest cover around Vimalagiri is limited. The area is dominated by residential settlements, farmland and small coffee and tea plantations, which sharply increases the chances of the tiger crossing paths with people. Veterinarians are expected to tranquilise the tiger if its location and the surrounding conditions allow them to do so safely. Officials also believe there is a strong possibility the animal could move towards the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, which lies less than five kilometres away by aerial distance.
Advisory issued for farmers
The forest department has advised farmers in the area not to leave cattle unattended while grazing, and to keep animals inside secure sheds, particularly at times when the tiger is likely to be moving through the region. Monitoring operations remain active in both Vimalagiri and O-Valley, with forest teams working to identify and capture both tigers while ensuring the safety of local communities.
