Tiger Kills Cow, Injures Another in Srimangala; Combing Operation to Begin Today

Srimangala: A tiger killed a cow and injured another within a span of two hours in broad daylight on Friday, sending shockwaves through the villages of West Nemmale and East Nemmale in the Srimangala region of Kodagu district.

The tiger first attacked a milk-yielding cow tied near the fields of farmer Manira Kishan in West Nemmale village, around noon. According to forest officials, the incident occurred in front of Kishan and his wife, who were about 60 feet away. Despite their desperate attempts to scare the tiger away, it managed to kill the cow and flee into nearby bushes.

A second attack followed at around 2 PM in East Nemmale village, this time targeting a cow grazing in a field belonging to farmer Chotteyamada Darshan. The tiger injured the cow, but members of Darshan's family, who were nearby, successfully frightened the animal, forcing it to retreat into a neighbouring estate.

Sanketh Poovaiah, a member of the Karnataka State Wildlife Board, visited the affected areas and instructed forest officials to take immediate action. Speaking to the media, Poovaiah explained that the tiger has been roaming the Srimangala and Nalkeri areas for the past two months, with frequent attacks on livestock. Despite efforts to monitor its movements using cameras, the elusive tiger has yet to be captured on film.

Poovaiah said that forest officials will begin a combing operation on Saturday to drive the tiger away from the area. "The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) has been informed, and we are awaiting permission to capture the tiger using tranquillizers," he said. Poovaiah also held discussions with DCF from the Madikeri Wildlife Division and DCF from the Virajpet Wildlife Division, stressing the urgency of the situation. Once approval is granted, forest teams will be mobilized to capture the tiger.

Local residents are growing increasingly anxious about the presence of the tiger, with many fearing for their safety. "The tiger is massive and could pose a threat to human life as well," said one concerned villager. Others demanded immediate action, worried about the safety of schoolchildren, farmers, and workers in the area.

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