A tiger suspected to have mauled three people to death in Karnataka was captured by the forest department late on Saturday. The animal was darted in the Moleyur range of the Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR) and shifted to the Chamundi Wildlife Conservation, Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre on the outskirts of Mysuru city.
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On Friday, Chowdaiah Naik, 35, was mauled by a tiger in Halle Heggodilu village on the fringes of the BRT—the third death from tiger attack around the reserve since October 26. After the farmer’s death on Friday, Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre had ordered the immediate suspension of safari operations at the BRT and the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve to divert staff to the operation to capture the tiger.
A DNA analysis of the captured tiger and samples found at the sites where three people were mauled is awaited. However, forest officials suspect that the tiger was behind the attacks as it was unable to hunt wild animals owing to its advanced age.
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According to a statement issued by Khandre’s office, “the animal was 12-13 years old, with worn-down teeth. Since it was incapable of hunting herbivores, it used to enter villages to attack humans and cattle.”
Following the tiger’s capture, Khandre has directed the additional principal chief conservator of forests and the director of Project Tiger to camp near areas where tiger movement is being reported, and to investigate whether other tigers have also attacked humans or livestock.
Combing operations were held in different forest ranges of the BRT following the mauling incidents reported since the last week of October.