Tamil Nadu Minister Says Tiger Capture in Gudalur Is Close

Tamil Nadu Forest Minister R.V. Ranjithkumar has said that the Forest Department and the State government are making sustained efforts to capture a male tiger suspected of killing two people at O'Valley in Gudalur. Speaking to reporters in Gudalur on Friday after visiting the families of those affected and distributing essential supplies, the Minister said the animal had eluded capture for 22 days despite the department coming close to trapping it on several occasions.

He expressed confidence that the tiger would be captured within 10 to 20 days and appealed to local residents for patience. During his visit, the Minister also received petitions from residents and said pleas from around 50 families seeking financial assistance would be fulfilled.

Mr. Ranjithkumar said the government had taken multiple steps to address negative human-animal interactions in the State, including allocating ₹20 crore for integrated measures. Efforts to safeguard local residents, such as arranging transport for schoolchildren, would continue until the tiger is captured, he added.

The Minister also visited the homes of the two people who died in tiger attacks in O'Valley last month and offered his condolences.