The tense search for a male tiger suspected of killing two people in Tamil Nadu's Nilgiris district stretched into a 17th day on Sunday. Forest Department teams, working against a backdrop of fear and economic disruption, are meticulously combing the area around O’Valley in Gudalur.

Key facts

  • The operation to capture the tiger began 17 days ago.
  • The animal is suspected of killing two persons in O’Valley.
  • Officials have deployed 170 camera traps and 13 concealed trap cages.
  • Local plantation workers have been advised to skip work, causing economic hardship.

A Meticulous and Cautious Search

On Saturday, officials conducted a detailed drill, rehearsing the precise procedures needed for a safe capture. The priority is twofold: securing the tiger and ensuring the absolute safety of local residents. Every move is calculated. The 13 trap cages set up across the landscape have been carefully camouflaged, an attempt to outsmart the elusive predator and coax it into a secure enclosure.

Coordinating the Response

A high-level consultation meeting brought together the full force of the department's expertise. Led by Gudalur DFO P. Devaraj, the gathering included senior veterinarian Kalivanan, Assistant Conservators of Forests, Forest Range Officers, field staff, and specialized units like the Rapid Response Team and the Forest Elite Force. Together, they pored over data from the 170 camera traps—not just in Gudalur but also in the neighboring Naduvattam range and the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve—searching for any sign of the tiger's movement and planning their next steps.

The Human Cost of the Hunt

Meanwhile, the prolonged operation is taking a tangible toll on the community. The Forest Department has informally advised residents against venturing into plantations for tea leaf picking or other farm work. For many daily wage workers, that advice means lost income and growing anxiety. In response, local DMK party members, acting on behalf of Nilgiris MP A. Raja, distributed a month's worth of groceries, including rice, to affected plantation-worker families—a small but crucial relief for those caught in the standoff.