The search for the tiger that is believed to have killed two persons in Lauriston in August continued in O’Valley for the 14th day on Thursday (September 3).

According to officials, the tiger, believed to be a 10-year-old male, has remained elusive since efforts to capture it began on August 21. On Wednesday, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden Rakesh Kumar Dogra visited the area and met with field staff.

He held discussions with the Field Director of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR), the Divisional Forest Officer (Gudalur), and veterinary doctors regarding the measures taken so far to track the animal.

Mr. Dogra stressed the importance of carrying out the operation while ensuring the safety of everyone as well as the tiger.

On Thursday, the Forest staff expanded their search into caves and nooks located in O’Valley and surrounding areas as signs of the tiger’s presence have become extremely rare since the search began.

Officials said that pug marks have been found during the search, though images of the animal have not been seen on camera traps for ten days. They believe that increased human activity in the area due to the search efforts as well as the presence of kumki elephants could have alerted the animal and pushed it into hiding. 

Surveillance has also been increased in forest ranges in the areas contiguous with O’Valley, including forest ranges in the Nilgiris forest division and Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. Officials also said that 147 camera traps have been placed around the region and 13 cages have been placed in an attempt to capture the tiger safely.