Kerala’s Forest Minister AK Saseendran announced that the tiger responsible for a woman’s death in Wayanad will be classified as a man-eater and euthanised, marking the state’s first such decision in history
Published Jan 26, 2025 | 6:49 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 26, 2025 | 6:49 PM
First in Kerala’s history: Man-eater tiger ordered to be killed (Kerala Tourism)
In a historic move, Kerala’s Forest Minister AK Saseendran has announced that the tiger responsible for the recent death of a woman in Pancharakolly, Wayanad, will be officially classified as a man-eater and euthanised.
This marks the first time in the state’s history that a wildlife animal will be ordered to be killed.
The decision came after a high-level meeting was convened on Sunday, 26 January, at the Wayanad district collectorate to discuss the growing issue of wildlife attacks in the region.
The tiger, which also attacked a forest department official during a patrol was identified as the immediate threat to human safety.
First in Kerala’s History, Man-eater Tiger Ordered to Be Killed#Kerala Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran has announced that the tiger responsible for the recent death of women in Pancharakolly, #Wayanad, will be officially classified as a man-eater and subsequently put down. This… pic.twitter.com/VWMFrgboMy
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) January 26, 2025
Minister Saseendran confirmed that the tiger would be euthanised in line with the resolution passed during the meeting, aimed at preventing further human casualties in the area.
He also acknowledged the rising frequency of wildlife-related deaths and emphasised the need for a revision of existing wildlife laws to address these emerging challenges more effectively.
To bolster safety in wildlife-prone regions, both the Forest and Police Departments will ramp up surveillance efforts. A significant step in this initiative includes the deployment of artificial intelligence-based surveillance cameras in high-risk zones.
By 1 February, 100 AI cameras will be installed in Wayanad, with plans to expand the network to 400 cameras across the state by 31 March.
(Edited by Ananya Rao with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman)
