15-year-old tiger trapped in Kerala

Wayanad (Ker) Jul 14: A 15-year-old old tiger, which had killed some cows and goats in two villages, was today trapped by forest officials near Kottnode in Sulthan Bathery in Wayanad district.

The animal was unable to hunt due to its age and its hunting territory had narrowed down. Its movement was restricted to a small area of 1-2 kms, a wildlife official told PTI.

The animal had strayed to a nearby settlement at Odapallam on July 11 and killed a cow and two goats after which it went back to the forests. Forest officials were informed by villagers and patrolling began to locate the animal. The next day, it went to Kottnode and killed two cows, creating panic among villagers.

The officials then laid a trap at both the places and the animal was caught early today. It would be sent to Thrissur zoo. A young tiger had few days ago killed a youth in a village in the district.

The forest department had received information that a tiger had been caught at Bandipur sanctuary and it is suspected that the young animal was the one that attacked and killed the youth in wayanad, the official said.

PTI