COIMBATORE: A four-to-five-month-old tigress, which killed a goat early on Tuesday morning in a village on the fringes of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, was trapped and taken to the dispensary in Theppakadu forest. The animal, remained in the shed after killing the goat and veterinarians found it very stressed and weak. The incident took place at 5 am.
Forest officials suspect that the cub could have got separated from its mother a few days ago and reached the forest fringes while searching for food.
Tigers normally begin hunting by themselves after they are a year old. The officials went to the spot on receiving information from villagers, who demanded protection for them and their cattle from frequent attacks by wild animals. The goat belonged to one Muralidharan of Nambikolli village.
Nilgiris District administration officials said the farmer has been compensated “as per rules”. The tigress was being observed by two forest veterinary doctors at Theppakadu.
“The animal is weak as it had not eaten for some time,” said Mudumalai Tiger Reserve Deputy Director T Chandran. Officials, however, said that the cub’s condition is improving after it was served goat meat at the reserve.