Gudalur, Tamil Nadu | September 19, 2026
A male tiger linked to the deaths of two people in the O’Valley region of Gudalur in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris district has been captured after an intensive 29-day search, bringing relief to residents who had been living under fear for several weeks.
The tiger was trapped in a cage at Silver Cloud Estate in the early hours of Friday, September 18. Following its capture, the Forest Department confirmed its involvement in the two fatal attacks and transferred it to Arignar Anna Zoological Park at Vandalur, Chennai.
Two deaths triggered massive search
The operation began following two fatal attacks in the Lauriston area of O’Valley.
The first victim, M. Balakrishnan, 58, was killed in August. His remains were discovered after he failed to return from a plantation.
On August 21, another resident, K. Ravikumar, was killed while working near his home.
The two deaths triggered widespread concern among residents and plantation workers. Local communities staged protests and demanded immediate action to capture the animal.
The Forest Department subsequently classified the tiger as a man-eater based on evidence collected from the attack sites and the nature of the incidents.
More than 200 personnel deployed
Capturing the tiger proved difficult because of the region’s rugged terrain, dense vegetation and intermittent rainfall.
The operation involved more than 200 forest personnel, supported by trained kumki elephants, drones and an extensive camera-trap network.
According to the Forest Department, the search eventually involved 14 cages and 305 GSM-enabled camera traps.
Teams continuously monitored the tiger’s movements and shifted cages to locations where fresh evidence of its presence was detected.
Two leopards were also accidentally captured in cages during the operation. Both were subsequently released into reserve forest areas.
Tiger captured at Silver Cloud Estate
The breakthrough came early on September 18 when the tiger entered a cage placed at a private estate in the Silver Cloud area.
Forest officials initially transported the animal to Mudumalai Tiger Reserve for examination and identity verification.
The department subsequently confirmed that it was the tiger involved in both fatal attacks, using forensic evidence and camera-trap records.
Tamil Nadu Chief Wildlife Warden Rakesh Kumar Dogra said analysis of samples at the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation helped establish the animal’s identity.
Ageing tiger found unfit for release
Veterinary examination revealed that the male tiger, estimated to be around 11 years old, was in weakened physical condition and had a damaged or impaired canine tooth.
Officials concluded that its dental condition had compromised its ability to hunt normally in the wild.
A technical committee constituted under National Tiger Conservation Authority guidelines examined the animal and recommended against releasing it back into its natural habitat.
Following this assessment, the tiger was shifted to Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur for permanent care.
Relief for residents, but questions remain
The capture has brought relief to communities in O’Valley, where plantation work and everyday movement had been disrupted by fears of another attack.
The incident also highlights the challenges of managing human-tiger conflict in landscapes where forests, plantations and settlements exist close together.
An ageing or injured tiger may experience difficulty hunting its usual prey, although the precise reasons behind this animal’s attacks cannot be established solely from its dental condition.
The case underlines the importance of rapid identification, scientific monitoring and timely intervention when a tiger is suspected of repeatedly attacking people.
For the families of Balakrishnan and Ravikumar, the capture cannot undo their loss. But the conclusion of the prolonged operation offers some reassurance to residents while ensuring that the tiger remains alive under managed care.
Source credit: The Hindu, September 18–19, 2026. Additional reporting: The New Indian Express and The Times of India .
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