Efforts on to identify tiger responsible for two human deaths in Gudalur
Forest Department seeks to identify tiger linked to two human deaths in Gudalur, using drones and tracking teams for surveillance.
Although the tiger has been spotted, its identity is yet to be matched with official records due to lack of clear image of the animal
Updated - August 23, 2026 06:06 pm IST - UDHAGAMANDALAM
Representational image. File | Photo Credit: M. Sathyamoorthy
The Forest Department is yet to identify the tiger responsible for the killing of two men at O’Valley in Gudalur of The Nilgiris district.
Officials said while they had spotted the tiger using a drone camera following the attack, they are yet to identify the animal using its Unique ID matched with records from the National Tiger Conservation Authority’s (NTCA) M-STrIPEs (Monitoring System for Tigers - Intensive Protection and Ecological Status) as they are yet to get a clear image of the animal.
P. Devaraj, Divisional Forest Officer (Gudalur), said while it seemed likely that the animal responsible was a male tiger known to inhabit the area, there was high chances that there was more than one tiger utilising the region.
He also stated investigations into the killing of the second person, K. Ravikumar (51) in Lauriston, O’Valley pointed to the animal actively stalking in order to hunt the person, unlike in the incident recorded on August 9, when it had seemed likely at the time that the encounter was accidental resulting in the death of M. Balakrishnan (58).
The DFO said six cages have been placed in the area and that two more would be placed on Sunday evening. Tracking teams have also been deployed for surveillance.
The forest department has also asked for the assistance of kumki elephants from the Theppakadu Elephant Camp to concomitantly attempt to tranquilise the tiger alongside efforts to trap it in the already placed cages with bait placed inside.
Published - August 23, 2026 02:50 pm IST
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