Tiger Shot Dead During Tranquilising Op In Kerala's Idukki, Forest Officials Say It Was 'Self-Defence'

The incident occurred as the team attempted to capture the injured tiger which had been causing panic among locals by preying on domestic animals in the Granby estate area in recent days.

The team initially fired a tranquilizer dart at the tiger when it was spotted inside a tea plantation early Monday morning.

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The forest officials in Kerala's Idukki district were forced to shoot and kill a tiger on Monday after the animal allegedly attacked them during a tranquilizing mission in the Vandiperiyar region. The incident occurred as the team attempted to capture the injured big cat which had been causing panic among locals by preying on domestic animals in the Granby estate area in recent days.

The tiger, believed to have strayed from nearby forests, had reportedly killed a dog, several puppies, and a cow calf, heightening concerns among residents, as per a report on PTI. Wildlife officials launched the operation to tranquilize and relocate the animal to ensure public safety.

The Operation

The team initially fired a tranquilizer dart at the tiger when it was spotted inside a tea plantation early Monday morning. However, the animal suddenly turned aggressive and charged at the officials, leaving them with no choice but to open fire in self-defense. A senior wildlife official explained that while a second tranquilizer dart was successfully administered, the tiger became violently aggressive, damaging a staff member's helmet and tearing a shield used by the team.

He told the media, as per the agency report, "Our objective was to tranquilise the tiger and catch it alive. We went for the mission risking our own lives as it was spotted just near a house in the area in the morning. It killed a dog, two-three puppies and a cow calf. We fired the tranquiliser shot standing just 15 meters away from the animal. We took that risk as the tiger was found in an inhabited area. We had no option other than to shoot it to protect ourselves." 

The tiger, estimated to be over 10 years old, appeared weak and had sustained injuries to one of its legs, according to forest department. reported The New Indian Express. Television footage from the scene showed wildlife personnel firing tranquilizer darts at the tiger before it lunged toward them.

The operation had been planned since Sunday, but the tiger could not be located despite the use of sniffer dogs and drones to track its movements.