Tension in Mudumalai: Misidentified Tiger Sparks Controversy

A tiger suspected of being a man-eater has been trapped, following weeks of tracking after a tribal woman's death in Mudumalai. While the Forest Department identified the captured tiger as MTD37, locals dispute this, fearing the real killer roams free. The tiger is now under assessment at the veterinary hospital.

A tiger suspected of killing a tribal woman in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve has been captured after an extensive two-week search operation, forest officials announced Thursday.

Following the fatal incident on November 24, when the woman named Nagi Ammal was attacked, the Forest Department deployed four special teams, along with drones and camera traps, to capture the suspected man-eater tiger.

Villagers, however, allege that the trapped tiger is not the real culprit. In response, they initiated a road blockade, demanding action. The Forest Department refuted claims, identifying the captured tiger as MTD37, using evidence from camera traps and drone surveys.

(With inputs from agencies.)