Second Tiger Hunt Underway in Gudalur as Forest Department Expands Operations

Forest officials in Tamil Nadu's Gudalur region are now tracking two separate tigers—one responsible for two human deaths in August, and another that has been prowling dangerously close to villages for weeks. The confirmation came Saturday as teams expanded operations across the dense forest division.

Growing Concerns in Village Perimeters

The Vimalagiri tiger has been spotted repeatedly near human settlements over the past two weeks, raising alarms among forest officials and local communities. Unlike the O'Valley tiger—which claimed two lives and continues to evade capture after 16 days of pursuit—this animal hasn't attacked humans. But its consistent appearance near villages suggests shrinking habitat or changing patterns that worry experts.

Operation Setup and Strategy

Under instructions from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, the department has installed two trap cages along with 25 camera traps to monitor movement patterns. A dedicated team of forest staff is now tracking the tiger's movements, combining traditional tracking skills with modern surveillance technology.

“In order to capture the tiger sighted in Nambalakkottai and Vimalagiri areas of the Gudalur Forest Division, two trap cages and 25 camera traps have been installed as per the instructions of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden.”

Dual Operations Strain Resources

With both tigers now requiring capture—one for preemptive safety measures, the other for having turned man-eater—forest department resources are stretched thin. The O'Valley operation enters its 16th day with no success, while the new sighting adds urgency to an already tense situation. Officials must balance immediate public safety with conservation priorities in this delicate human-wildlife interface.