Captured tiger released in Periyar Tiger Reserve

A male tiger captured by the Forest department at Pampanmala, near Munnar, was released deep in the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Thekkady on Thursday morning.

Munnar Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Saju Varghese said that the tiger was approximately four to five years old. “The animal is healthy. No health issues were found during the inspection,” the official said.

The department set the trap in Pampanmala, under the Thalayar estate, after the big cat killed more than 18 cattle in a span of three months. Following repeated attacks on livestock, plantation workers began protests, prompting officials to set up the cage. The tiger was trapped on Tuesday afternoon and subsequently shifted to a forest nursery at Munnar. Following National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) guidelines, the animal was moved to Thekkady and released into the PTR.

According to officials, cattle grazing on forest fringes make easy prey for tigers.