NILGIRIS: Following the death of a 55-year-old man in a suspected tiger attack in Ooty, residents on Tuesday demonstrated at Sholur junction demanding the capture of the man-eater.
The deceased was identified as Pushtahl Kuttan, a resident of Chinnagadamund, a Toda settlement.
The protest erupted after his mauled body was found inside bushes after 8 am on Tuesday, near 8th Mile at Mel Gadamund in Ooty. Traffic was disrupted on the Ooty–Gudalur National Highway for over two hours.
According to residents, Kuttan had been reported missing on Monday night. It is suspected that the animal attacked and dragged him into the forest before consuming parts of his body.
"We traced the body nearly 200 metres away from the road leading to the mund by following bloodstains and pieces of clothing worn by the deceased. This indicates that the big cat may have dragged him after the attack," said an angry villager.
The incident reportedly occurred when Kuttan was returning home after visiting his father in a nearby hamlet. He had been walking through a reserve forest area when the animal attacked him.
Forest officials said the body bore injuries on the neck, back and thigh, and that portions of the body had been consumed.
"We have installed camera traps to determine whether a leopard or a tiger was responsible. A cage has also been placed in the area to capture the animal, as assured to the protesting residents," said a forest official from the Udhagamandalam South Forest Range.
This is the second death due to big cat attack in Nilgiris forest division in a year. A 27-year-old tribal man, Kenthar Kuttan, was killed by a tiger in Governor Shola on March 26, 2025.
The officials said that they have sent hair samples of the animal collected from the spot for forensic testing to check whether a tiger or leopard had attacked the man.
Tension prevailed in the area until officials assured residents that steps would be taken to prevent further incidents.
"Since leopard's and tiger populated area we will know which animal had attacked only after analysing the situation," said the official