Forest dept intensified efforts to capture tiger

Kozhikode: Forest department has intensified efforts to capture the tiger that mauled tribesman Maran to death at Chethimattam under Vandikkadavu forest station limits on Saturday by deploying another trap cage.According to forest officials based on camera trap findings and field observations, they noticed the presence of a tiger at Vandikkadavu which earlier used to be a resident tiger of another area of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. The technical committee, which held its meeting in the afternoon, said the new tiger could be responsible for the attack and cattle straying incidents as it was an aged tiger. Chief forest conservator T Uma said to prevent tiger attacks from behind, tribals would be provided with rear-facing masks if needed. Wayanad wildlife warden Varun Dalia said RRTs from Sulthan Bathery and Mananthavady are conducting round-the-clock patrolling inside the forest and teams from south Wayanad and north Wayanad divisions are conducting patrolling along the forest fringes.