Madikeri:  The Forest Department has ramped up its operation to capture a tiger that has been terrorising certain villages of South Kodagu by preying on livestock.

Yesterday, Forest personnel combed West Nemmale village in Srimangala Hobli, where they discovered a partially devoured wild boar carcass. Believing the tiger to be nearby and likely to return to the kill, they strategically placed a cage at the location to capture the elusive predator.

A team of 60 personnel, including members of the Forest Department, Rapid Action Force, and the Elephant Task Force, combed through approximately 2 km of dense forest in West Nemmale. Despite the extensive search, they failed to find any signs of the tiger, including its pug marks.

Concerned about the potential threat to human life and recognising the tiger’s status as India’s national animal, Virajpet MLA A.S. Ponnanna raised the issue with Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre and Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Kumar Pushkar. He secured permission to tranquillise and capture the big cat.

Karnataka State Wildlife Board Member Meriyanda Sanketh Poovaiah, who is overseeing the operation, revealed that elephants Srirama and Ajay from Mathigodu Elephant Camp have been called in to assist. However, due to concerns that the elephants may damage nearby coffee plantations, they will only be deployed if strong evidence of the tiger’s presence is found.

Key officials participating in the operation include Madikeri Wildlife Division Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Nehru, Virajpet DCF Jagganath, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Srinivas Nayak, Srimangala Range Forest Officer (RFO) Shankar, tranquillization expert Dr. Chittiappa and sharpshooter Ranjan.