The Forest department of Kerala on Sunday(November 10) ordered the killing of the tiger that ate a 36-year-old farmer in Wayanad.
Prey of the murderer
A 36-year-old man was killed in a tiger attack, and his half-eaten body was found near a forest area in Wayanad’s Bhakeri on November 9.
Prajeesh Kuttappan Marottiparambil was a farmer by profession. Every morning, Prajeesh would go to the nearest garden located near the forest to collect grass for his cattle. Prajeesh was an unmarried man and He used to live with his ailing mother and elder brother.
As usual, on Saturday morning, he went to collect grass to feed the cattle. When he did not return after several hours, his brother became worried, went looking for him, and found Prajeesh dead. His body was found lying in a nearby garden, which is near the forest. It is clear from the attack marks that this is the onslaught of a tiger.
Prajeesh’s body was found at the spot where a tiger had attacked a factory worker two months earlier. But the worker managed to escape.
Prajeesh’s body was shifted to Sultan Bathery Taluk Hospital. It has been decided that the body will be released from the hospital once the tiger is ordered to be killed.
The Locals raises their voice
The tiger attack has created terror among the residents. The locals demanded the authorities take measures to kill the man-eating animal.
The residents also claimed immediate release of a compensation fund of Rs 10 lakh to the family of the deceased and a government job for one of the family members.
Residents and relatives of Prajeesh started a movement to protest the attack by the wild animal.
After a meeting with DFO Shajana and panchayat officials, the local residents urged the authorities to continue the investigation process.
The DFO has promised that the forest department will install surveillance cameras in the area on Sunday. “A detailed report incorporating the residents’ demands will be sent to the chief wildlife warden”, the official added.
The search is on for the veiled fear
On Monday evening, forest officials set up a cage in a private coffee plantation near the spot where the farmer was killed to catch the animal.
Puthadi Gram Panchayat President handed over a check of ₹ 5 lakh to the relatives of deceased farmer Prajeesh as the first installment of compensation. The forest department assured that after verifying the documents, another 5 lakh rupees would be given to the relatives.
North Circle Chief Conservator of Forests K.S. Deepa said to media, “we’re trying to get a clear picture of the animal to identify the man-eater, and for this.”
As part of intensive efforts to track the tiger, the forest department has already set up 11 cameras at various locations.
They will install 12 more surveillance cameras. An unmanned aerial vehicle will be used on Tuesday to monitor the ferocious creature. Trackers, veterinarians, and members of the Bon Bon Rapid Response Team are permanent members of a 50-member team. They are trying hard to find the tiger.
“Put in cage or kill’
In response to the incident, the Kerala Forest Department on December 10 issued an order authorizing the killing of animals. However, the order states that officials must first confirm that the tiger is a man-eater before taking lethal action.
” If the animal cannot be captured or tranquilized, and it is established as a man-eater, it should be killed, as it is a cannibal dangerous to human life in the region, the forest department”,order issued.
Residents stopped their protest after the order was issued. According to a tiger census conducted by the state’s tiger reserve, 58 big cats were confirmed to be present in the state in 2016. If proper measures are not taken, it can lead to loss of life for the locals.
