Mysuru: A man-eater is on the prowl in the DB Kuppe range of Nagarahole National Park. The tiger has killed three people since December 24, and more worryingly, the latest death of a man from a tribal settlement on Wednesday came just two days after the previous kill on Monday, indicating that the tiger has been attacking humans more frequently.
The latest victim, Kencha from Thimnmanahlli Haadi, was grazing sheep and tending to his fields when a tiger pounced on him and dragged him into the bushes. Ballu, a 15-year-old boy, who was with Kencha, showed great presence of mind and ran toward the tiger with the iron rod scaring away the big cat.
But by then, the tiger had already eaten a part of Kencha's body, forest officials said.
On Monday, Chinnappa, who lived on the edge of DB Kuppe range, was attacked by a tiger when he had gone to the forest to answer nature's call. Villagers saw the tiger attacking Chinnappa, and later traced his body. It was on December 24 last year that a youngster, Madhu, was killed by a tiger also in the DB Kuppe range and his body was found a couple of days after the tiger mauled him.
Director of Nagarahole National Park Narayaswamy told Deccan Chronicle that officials are verifying camera trappings to verify whether the same tiger is behind all the three killings. Villagers on the border of DB Kuppe, however, demanded that the man-eater be shot dead. Nagarahole Park officials have been combing the forests using tamed elephants, but have not been able to trace the tiger. They have, however, placed a cage to trap the tiger. Mr Narayaswamy said that once the man-eating tiger is identified, suitable action will be taken on its future. The foresters have taken permission to tranquilise it.
