An 80-member team began the search operation around 8 am on Wednesday, 17 December.
Published Dec 17, 2025 | 3:01 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 17, 2025 | 3:01 PM
A tiger.
Synopsis: On Tuesday, 16 December, Forest officials have identified the tiger roaming the Padiyamvayal–Pachilakkad area of Wayanad as WL-112, a five-year-old male. The animal was last traced to a marshy paddy field at Cheekkalloor on Tuesday.
A high alert has been issued in the Panamaram region in Wayanad after the Forest Department launched the operation to capture a five-year-old male tiger, WL-112, with prohibitory orders imposed in the area.
An 80-member team began the search operation around 8 am on Wednesday, 17 December.
On Wednesday too, a holiday has been declared for educational institutions in wards 6, 7, 8, 9, 14 and 15 of Panamaram grama panchayat and wards 5, 6, 7, 18, 19, 20 and 21 of Kaniyambatta grama panchayat. Scheduled examinations have been postponed, District Collector DR Meghasree said.
Meanwhile, Forest Minister AK Saseendran said the tiger would be tranquillised and captured soon.
On Tuesday, 16 December, Forest officials have identified the tiger roaming the Padiyamvayal–Pachilakkad area of Wayanad as WL-112, a five-year-old male. The animal was last traced to a marshy paddy field at Cheekkalloor on Tuesday.
Following public panic, movement restrictions were imposed and a cage trap installed. Multiple Rapid Response Teams, kumki elephants, and a wildlife veterinarian are involved in the operation.
On Tuesday, Rapid Response Teams of the Forest Department intensified search operations in Pachilakkad and surrounding areas of Kalpetta after reports of tiger movement. Teams from the Mananthavady and Kalpetta forest divisions, with police support, carried out extensive combing in farmlands and paddy fields after pugmarks were found.
Officials say the tiger appears healthy and may have entered human areas while searching for territory or a mate. A decision on capture or elimination will be taken by senior forest authorities as per national guidelines.
The district administration has also released emergency contact numbers of Forest division emergency operation centres. Residents who spot a tiger have been asked to immediately contact 9188407547.
Meanwhile, the Forest Department has issued a set of safety directives for the public:
The Forest Department is closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary steps to prevent human–tiger encounters.
Kerala: Tiger movement reported near Kalpetta, forest teams intensify search
Rapid Response Teams of the Forest Department have intensified search operations in Pachilakkad and surrounding areas of Kalpetta after reports of tiger movement. Teams from the Mananthavady and…
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) December 16, 2025
Panic erupted in Pachilakkad near Kalpetta in Wayanad after a local farm labourer, employed at Johnny Thaiparambil’s farm was reported missing. Residents claimed they had seen a tiger moving through farmland and nearby paddy fields, raising fears that the animal might have attacked the worker.
Forest and police teams responded quickly, with RRT from the Mananthavady and Kalpetta divisions conducting a thorough search.
Officials confirmed tiger pugmarks in the area and deployed a thermal drone to track the animal’s movements. Kalpetta Divisional Forest officer Ajit K. Raman said the situation calmed once the labourer was found safe.
Police from Kambalakkad and Panamaram stations were stationed in the area, while the North Wayanad DFO is prepared a proposal to form a technical committee under National tiger conservation authority guidelines.
Continuous surveillance was assured, especially at night as tigers often stray from their territories during the mating season or due to conflicts with dominant males.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman)
