Tiger in cage in Wayanad, Kerala; Scene of bear searching for prey spreads panic

Amid frequent incidents of straying into wild animal habitats here, a male tiger was found trapped in a cage in this upscale district on Saturday.

Wildlife officials confirmed that the caged big cat was the same one that had attacked and killed several domestic animals in the area and nearby places in recent days.

Officials said they installed the cage inside Beenachi Estate near Sultan Bathery in view of the death of a cow and calf in a suspected tiger attack on Friday.

“The age of the caged tiger is around 11 years. We have identified the big cat as ‘WYS 9’, which has killed several domestic animals in the area in recent times,” a senior wildlife officer told PTI.

He said, ‘WYS 9’ is one of the series of numbers given to animals during the recent census to identify them. The animal was later shifted to a nearby hospital-cum-welfare center under the department, he said.

“The veterinarian is examining the big cat…if it needs any special care or treatment, we will provide it,” the official said.

Meanwhile, CCTV footage of a bear allegedly walking on a road in Bathory town on Friday night created panic among the locals here.

These visuals went viral on social media platforms and were telecast by television channels. There were reports of an adult sloth bear roaming in this district for the last few days.

Officials said they have not yet been able to confirm that the bear seen at the scenes and the sloth bear that recently broke into a house to steal sugar are the same.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)