Youth mauled, partially eaten by tiger at Kurichiyad range

KOZHIKODE: In another gruesome incident, a youth was killed  and partially eaten by a tiger at  the Kurichiyad range of the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary near Sulthan Bathery, Wayanad on Thursday.

Forest officials found the body of the victim on Friday and he was  identified as Baburaj, 23,  son of Kullan belonging to Kattunayikka tribal community of  Kurichiyad forest region.

This is the third incident of tigers turning man-eaters and attacking those living close to the jungle this year. Since Thursday afternoon Baburaj was reportedly missing from the colony after he had gone to the forest for collecting firewood, his relatives said. It was during the  search on Friday morning by forest officials and relatives that  parts of his body devoured by the animal were recovered from two sites inside the sanctuary, nearly a km from his house.

Forest officials  identified the pugmarks of a tiger next to the body. The victim was caught by the animal near his house and dragged about a km into the jungle, forest officials said.

The torch and knife of Baburaj were  found abandoned near his home and some bloodstains were also found.  Wayanad district collector Kesavendra Kumar, Sulathan Bathery circle inspector Biju Raj, tahsildar N.K. Abraham and forest officials visited the spot.

They   promised to  give employment to the wife of the victim. Meanwhile, DYFI men attacked the office of Wayanad Wildlife Warden at Sulthan Bathery.