From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Madikeri
Madikeri, Jan 22: The carcass of a tiger aged 9 to 10 years was found beside Lakshmanateertha river at Nittur in Gonikoppal here on Sunday January 22, bringing a rude shock to wildlife lovers of the state. With this death, the number of tigers that have died in the state in the last 20 days has risen to 5, raising serious concerns about wildlife protection.
The tiger died due to injuries. Parts of its paws, face and neck were found decomposed. Hunsur wildlife division doctor Umashankar said that the tiger wounded itself while eating a porcupine. He said owing to injuries, the tiger was not able to hunt its prey.
Forest officers said that the same tiger might have attacked labourer Kariya on Friday January 20, as an eyewitness had said that the tiger had wounds on its face. Kodagu CCF Manoj kumar said on Sunday that the dead tiger was the same which had attacked a labourer on January 15 as the CC cameras fixed by the department had captured its images. He said the department on Friday initiated 'operation tiger' to catch the wild animal. The operation was called off on Sunday.
During the operation, three elephants, more than 80 personnel including from tiger conservation force along with veterinary doctors and drone cameras, together forming four or five teams, were searching for tigers to prevent attacks on humans.
On January 18, a tiger was rescued from a snare at Nittur, but it succumbed to injuries in Koorgally wild animals rescue and rehabilitation centre in Mysuru.
The first tiger death this month was reported on January 4, when a carcass of an aged tigress was found in DB Kuppe forest range in Nagarahole. On January 13, a tiger succumbed to injuries while
being shifted from Bandipur to Bannerghatta Biological Park. On January 16, a tigress died owing to overdose of tranquiliser when it was darted near the Antharasanthe forest range of Nagarahole tiger
reserve.
It may be mentioned here that in the last 5 months, more than 12 cattle were eaten by tigers in Nittur, Balele, Srimangala, Malluru, Kumbarakatte and Devanur villages.