Wayanad district, located in the northeast part of Kerala rests on a slightly east-sloping plateau bordering the Western Ghats and the Deccan plateau to the east. With elevations varying between 600 and 2100 m, the terrain is characterised by small undulating hills interspersed with low-lying swamps.

The diverse topography and climate foster a range of natural ecosystems in Wayanad, providing habitats for numerous globally significant species such as the Asian elephant, Bengal tiger and Dhole (Asiatic wild dog). However, human-wildlife conflicts, particularly involving tigers and elephants have resulted in detrimental effects on both human populations and wildlife.

Wildlife Trust of India’s ‘Wayanad Conflict Mitigation Project’ is an initiative dedicated to reducing the adverse effects of human-big cat and human-elephant conflicts in the Nilgiri Plateau of the Western Ghats.  We work closely with key stakeholders, including the forest department, panchayats (local self-governments), and local communities to address conflict situations within the landscape.

Conflict case in Panavally village

During the months of August and September 2023, Panavally village, situated in the Begur Range of the North Wayanad Forest Division witnessed several instances of a tiger attacks on domestic animals. Surrounded by forest, the village’s primary agricultural activity is coffee plantation.

Tiger Pugmark at Panavally, Wayanad |Photo by Arya AV

The first incident occurred in August when a tiger killed a calf belonging to Mr. TN Santhosh during the early hours of the morning. He witnessed the massive tiger attempting to away drag the calf, which was tied to the cow shed. While Mr. Santhosh had previously spotted tigers in the area on multiple occasions, this incident marked the first instance of cattle depredation at his residence. Another incident occurred in Panavally, where a tiger lifted a stray dog from a house, leaving this owner distraught as he witnessed the tiger dragging the dog across his coffee plantation.

In response to this incident, our team installed two camera traps in the area. Villagers reported multiple instances of tigers crossing roads and attempting to prey on domestic animals. Some sightings were captured on video and shared on social media, exacerbating the situation. When forest officials arrived to secure the area, residents, understandably fearful for their safety, began protesting that they send higher-ranking forest officials to implement the necessary measures to capture the tiger.

Cattle shed adjacent coffee plantation in Panavally |Photo by Sujnan MK

Amidst the ongoing conflict, the Kerala Forest Department and WTI team conducted an anti-snare walk (ASW) covering an area of 7 km along the forest boundary adjacent to Panavally village in September 2023. Although no prominent snares were discovered, evidence of an inactive snare was found. Additionally, during the ASW our team noticed a trail of big cat pugmarks leading to a house. Further inquiry revealed that a dog was lifted from that premises, though the incident had not been officially reported.

WTI team led Anti-snare walks through the forest boundary | Photo by Arya AV

Camera trapping, tracking and individual identification of the tiger

Our team assisted the Forest Department in setting up 27 camera traps (CTs) in the locations where the tiger pugmarks were seen and also in the areas where cattle and dog lifts had occurred. Furthermore, the placement of the camera traps was adjusted based on the presumed movement patterns of the tiger and reported incidents. The camera traps were checked on a daily basis and their data were regularly updated.

Map showing all the CTs installed in Panavally area, Begur Range

A total of 9 images were obtained from 7 camera traps. Locations of CTs where images were captured and the location of depredations and attempts helped in tracking and understanding the tiger’s movement pattern. Images were shared with the Forest Department for individual identification, confirming it to be WYN-5, a resident of the area, which was recorded in the 2016 tiger census and was the same conflict tiger caged on 24.06.2023 after killing 4 cattle. It was subsequently released into the interior forest.

WTI staff installing CT in the conflict area | Photo by Arya AV

A total of 9 depredation cases were recorded from the Panavally area, highlighting the tiger’s focus on targeting vulnerable animals such as calves (2) and dogs (7) including lactating mothers. This indicated that the animal was weak, unfit and incapable of hunting active prey. Notably, all incidents occurred within 1km of forests, amidst dense vegetation facilitating the tiger’s movement.

Implementations & Expert Committee Recommendations

The agitation of the locals prompted authorities to deploy trap cages and initiate night patrolling units. Despite these measures, the tiger continued to pose a threat to domestic animals, leading to the formation of an expert committee,  as per NTCA guidelines to address the situation. Shajan M.A, Senior Field Officer, WTI was the NTCA nominee.

Night patrolling units were also initiated by the Forest Department for regular monitoring of the tiger. One trap cage was initially placed at the coffee estate in Panavally followed by a second cage placement in the Athanda area within Panavally. Despite these efforts, as the tiger did not enter the trap cages, a third one was subsequently installed in the vicinity. Following a meeting convened by Mananthavady M.L.A., a decision was taken to clear the weed growth in the private estates in these areas to destroy any hideouts of the tiger and place more trap cages.

Site were a pet dog was lifted by the tiger at Thalamalakunnu, Athanda | Photo by Sunjan MK

As a next step, a decision was taken to immobilise the tiger as it was not entering the trap cage. The tranquillisation operation was initiated under the leadership of Forest Vet. Dr. Ajesh Mohandas, with overall supervision and planning led by the Conservator of Forests. Despite their efforts, the team was unable to locate the animal during the operation.

Conflict Tiger Captured:

On 26th September 2023, the tiger successfully entered the trap cage placed in the Athanda area and was subsequently transported to the Animal Hospice at Kuppady, Sultan Bathery. Upon arrival, the forest veterinary officer conducted a detailed medical examination, confirming the captured tiger to be WYN-5, a female tiger, approximately 9 years old. A deep penetration wound was seen on the left lateral region beneath the scapula, severe suppurative changes were observed, an inflamed mass was seen on the dorsal aspect of the carpel joint on the left forelimb, and all the canines were worn out leaving stump. Additionally, the animal was highly emaciated and anaemic with a negative body score and the animal was showing exercise intolerance with shallow respiration. Following initial observations, the tiger received treatment and was placed under observation for further monitoring.

The conflict tiger was eventually captured and transferred for medical examination |Photo by Shajan MA

This was the same tiger that was previously captured from the Panavally area and released into the interior forests during the previous operation on 24th June 2023. It was observed that due to severe health issues, it was unfit to hunt in the wild and had, therefore, grown dependent on carcasses, stray dogs and domestic animals. If released again, there is a high possibility that it would return to the same human habitation in search of easy prey. Consequently, the expert committee recommended that the animal required immediate medical interventions and was unfit to be released or translocated to its natural habitat. Therefore, a decision was made to keep the tiger Wayanad North-5 (WYN-5) in captive care.