Man-eater tiger will be shot, says Minister Saseendran

Minister declares man-eater tiger in Wayanad to be shot, implements measures to prevent future wildlife attacks.

Minister for Forests and Wildlife A.K. Saseendran announced that the tiger that mauled a tribal woman to death at Pancharakkolly in Wayanad on Friday (January 24, 2025), will be declared as a man-eater tiger and will be shot to death.

Responding to the media after the high level meeting he had chaired at the Wayanad Collectorate on Sunday (January 26, 2025), the Minister said that the decision was made following the tiger’s attack on a member of the Rapid Response Team earlier in the morning as the team was searching for the tiger.

“The same animal has attacked humans more than once. We have to treat it as a man-eater,” the Minister said, adding that such a decision is being made in Kerala for the first time.

There have been several instances of people losing their lives in animal attacks in the State. The existing laws on wildlife need to be changed to overcome this situation. “Patrolling by forest and police officials will be strengthened in the areas adjacent to forest to observe the normal path of wild animals,” the Minister added.

The high level meeting highlighted the need to cut down the undergrowth in the forest areas near human habitats, so that the presence of wild animals is easily detected. Owners of the plantations near the forest should also do the same in their plantations, failing to which action will be taken against them.

The Department of local self governance has been tasked with cutting down the undergrowth in the areas outside the forest limits. The Disaster management fund of the district collector will be utilised for cutting down the undergrowth where immediate attention is warranted.

The meeting also decided to set up more AI surveillance cameras in areas prone to wildlife attacks, within February 1. While 100 such cameras will be set up in Wayanad, a total of 400 AI cameras will be set up across the state by March 31.