Tiger that killed two people trapped in cage in Gudalur

A tiger that allegedly killed two people in the Gudalur area of the Nilgiris has been captured after 28 days of intensive efforts by the Forest Department, bringing relief to residents in the affected areas.
The tiger attacked and killed Balakrishnan in the Oveli-Laureston area on August 9 and Ravichandran on August 21. Following the incidents, residents staged a series of protests demanding that the tiger be captured.
Around 50 residents later travelled to Chennai to seek the Chief Minister’s intervention. The issue was also raised in the Legislative Assembly. The government provided Rs. 10 lakh each as relief to the families of Balakrishnan and Ravichandran.
Forest Minister R.V. Ranjith Kumar, during his visit to Gudalur, provided an additional Rs. 1 lakh each from his personal funds to the two families. Following the Chief Minister’s directions, the Forest Department intensified efforts to capture the tiger. More than 200 forest personnel were deployed, while three advanced drones were used to monitor the area. A total of 244 camera traps were installed at various locations to track the tiger’s movements. Thirteen iron cages containing goats as bait were also placed at strategic locations.
After 28 days, the tiger was trapped on Thursday night in a cage set up at K.K. Nagar near Gudalur town.
Forest officials said the captured animal is a male tiger estimated to be around nine to 10 years old. It was taken to the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve overnight.
Officials are considering whether to shift the tiger to the Mysuru zoo or the Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur, Chennai.