Madikeri: Tiger movements have resumed in South Kodagu, with residents capturing the tiger’s close proximity to humans on camera.
On Wednesday afternoon, a roaming tiger was spotted in Harihar village of Ponnampet taluk, creating fear among farmers, laborers and other residents.
T Shettigeri, II Rudraguppe, Harihar, K Badaga and surrounding areas have become tiger conflict zones in recent times, so much so that two humans were killed in a tiger attack in February last year. Tigers are back on the prowl in these villages as many cattle have lost their lives in recent tiger attacks in T Shettigeri, Srimangala and surrounding areas. However, on Wednesday morning, a tiger was spotted in human proximity and was spotted near Harihar Temple Lake.
“The tiger looked very weak. It drank water from the temple lake and headed back towards the forest,” said Naveen Subbaiah, who captured the tiger’s action on his mobile phone.
The sighting of the tiger so close to humans has again raised concerns among residents and they have demanded immediate capture of the tiger. Villagers said that since it is summer season, many tigers from Nagarhole Tiger Reserve are migrating towards the forest and entering the village limits in search of water and easy prey.
He alleged that the estates provided better shade and water to wild animals than forests. Meanwhile, the forest department has installed trap cameras in the conflict areas. “We have installed cameras at all the places where tiger sightings were reported. We are collecting details about the tigers who are frequently entering the village limits. A search operation is being conducted at the spot where a tiger was spotted on Wednesday morning,” confirmed range forest officer Shankar.
