Operation to capture tiger enters eighth day in Gudalur

One of the cages set to capture the tiger that is believed to have killed two persons in 'O'valley range of Gudalur. | Photo Credit: M. SATHYAMOORTHY Even as the operation to capture the tiger that is believed to have killed two persons in Gudalur entered its eighth day on Friday (August 28), the Forest department said they are monitoring another big cat that has been spotted near Athipalli a few days ago.Speaking to The Hindu, Divisional Forest Officer (Gudalur Division) P. Devaraj said they have received information about the presence of a second tiger in Athiapalli and were actively monitoring the situation. The Forest department is also considering placing cages in the area to trap the animal that has so far had no negative interactions with humans.The department also said that it has brought in two kumki elephants, Udhayan and Bomman, to Gudalur to help with efforts to track the tiger, which is believed to have killed two people in O’Valley in Gudalur. The department has been sharing information about the operation with locals and has also been arranging for the commute of schoolchildren.Two teams of the Forest Elite Force have also been deployed around human settlements to monitor the area for any sign of the animal and to also assist search operations. The Forest department also said that 130 camera traps have been placed across the region to help understand the animal’s movements. They got a clear image of the animal a few days ago and confirmed that the tiger is a male known to inhabit the area.The department, however, added that the animal has so far evaded capture despite the 13 cages placed at strategic locations.As there are fears that the tiger may have moved out of O’Valley and into surrounding forest ranges, surveillance has been increased in Naduvattam forest range in Nilgiris forest range as well as Singara and Masinagudi in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR). The Forest department has been working round the clock since the first death was reported in O’Valley earlier this month, with efforts redoubled to prevent people from entering heavily wooded areas, especially after dark. They had also urged residents to contact field staff in case they needed to venture into Section 17 lands for irrigation and for agriculture. Published - August 28, 2026 09:02 pm IST