Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Wildlife Warden Dr Shekar Kumar Niraj on Friday issued orders to hunt a tiger, named as T-23, which had been allegedly responsible for the killing of humans and livestock near Gudalur in Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu.
According to a report in the New Indian Express, locals claimed that four human beings were killed by the tiger in Singara and the adjacent region of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve.
Quoting unidentified officials, the report said that the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has explained about the situation in Gudalur and how the tiger has become a threat to the safety of human beings. Hence, a decision to eliminate the tiger, if required, was taken, the report added.
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According to the report, a state’s Chief Wildlife Warden has the powers to order hunting of wild animals under section 11(1)(a) of the wildlife protection act, 1972 if he/she is satisfied that the wild animal specified in schedule 1 has become dangerous to human life or is so disabled or deceased as to be beyond recovery. The Chief Wildlife Warden shall issue orders to kill the animal if he/she is satisfied that such animal cannot be captured, tranquilised or translocated.
Pointing out that it has been a week since the operation to capture the tiger was launched, the report said that forest teams were unable to tranquilise the animal due to multiple reasons like unfavourable weather and terrain even though the animal was spotted on multiple occasions.
An official, according to the report, said that the tiger had managed to escape when they took a shot at it and the animal’s behaviour has become aggressive due to the continuous presence of human beings and ongoing operation. It is difficult to do the operation when public surround the place, the official added as per the report.