Adivasi man killed in suspected carnivore attack in Nilgiris

A 55-year-old Adivasi man was found dead in a suspected carnivore attack in the Udhagai South Range in the Nilgiris on Tuesday (February 24, 2026) morning. Following the incident, local residents blocked the road near Sholur Junction, demanding that the animal be captured.

The victim was identified as Pusthal Kuttan, 55, from Chinnakadimund in the Nilgiris forest division. He had reportedly left his house on Monday (February 23) evening and had taken a bridle path within a forested area to reach his father’s house about half a kilometre away, when he is believed to have been attacked and killed by a carnivore near Eighth Mile.

Following the incident and after the discovery of his dismembered body, residents staged a protest by blocking the road between Udhagamandalam and Gudalur at the Sholur Junction, demanding the animal’s capture. Traffic was disrupted for a few hours on Tuesday morning, as Forest Department and police officials held talks with the residents, assuring them that action would be taken, following which the protesters dispersed.

Speaking to The Hindu, S. Gowtham, Divisional Forest Officer (Nilgiris division), said that the incident had occurred just two aerial kilometres from where another Adivasi man, Kenthar Kuttan, 27, was killed by a tiger in Governor Shola on March 26, 2025. “We know that there is a presence of tigers and leopards in the area,” said Mr. Gowtham, adding that hair samples from the site of the attack have been collected and sent for forensic testing to identify whether a tiger or a leopard was responsible for the attack.

“The area is a patch of contiguous forest that connects right up to Parsons Valley, and there are multiple tigers and other large carnivores using the forest. So, we are using camera trap data to also pinpoint which animal is responsible,” said Mr. Gowtham.

He said that full compensation would be handed over to the next of kin of the deceased by Tuesday evening. The Forest Department was also continuing its investigation into the circumstances that led to the attack.