Tiger that killed three captured; DNA tests ordered, says Minister Ishwara Khandre

NT Correspondent
Bengaluru: Forest Minister Ishwara B. Khandre has said that a male tiger that had repeatedly attacked people and killed livestock in Saraguru taluk has been captured. The Minister said forest officials have confirmed that the tiger, which had attacked and killed three people in the past month, has been captured.

He said he has instructed higher authorities to examine both the post-mortem reports of the deceased persons and the DNA of this tiger to ensure that the captured animal is the same one that claimed the lives of people around Hediyala, Moleyuru and Nugu. There have been increasing cases of tiger attacks on humans and livestock in the forest fringes of Bandipur and Nagarhole.

In this context, the safaris in both reserves were suspended, and the staff were deployed for the tiger-capture operation. Along with officers from various zones of Bandipur and Nagarhole, officials and staff from other zones also participated in the effort. The captured tiger is about 12–13 years old and its teeth are weak. Therefore, the animal, unable to hunt herbivorous wildlife in the forest, was entering neighbouring villages and attacking people and livestock, explained Khandre.

Three killed in a single month: Three people have been killed in tiger attacks in Mysuru district in the last one month. Recently, a man named Mahadeva (Madegowda) from Badagalapura village in Saraguru was seriously injured after losing his eyes in a tiger attack. Following this, a farmer named Rajashekar from Bannegere village, Doddaningaiah from Kurnegal village, and Chaudanayaka from Heggudilu village were killed in tiger attacks.With this, three people have lost their lives in tiger attacks in recent weeks.

Minister Khandre said he has instructed the wildlife department’s APCCF and tiger project directors to set up camp near residential areas where tigers are known to move and to conduct operations to check whether any other tigers have attacked people and livestock.