MANANTHAVADY: The search for the tiger that killed a youth in Vakeri in Wayanad has entered its sixth day. The search is being carried out using the kumki elephants Vikram and Bharat. Cages have been installed at three locations. More officers were also sent to the spot.

The search is being carried out by a 100-member team consisting of forest rangers and RRTs from Chetalayam, Meppadi and Kalpetta under the leadership of Northern CCF KS Deepa, DFO Shajna Kareem, Wildlife Warden P Dinesh Kumar, Forest Veterinary Surgeon Dr Ajesh Mohandas and Chetalayam Ranger Abdul Samad.

On Thursday, the Forest Department said that it was a 13-year-old tiger called ‘WWL 45’ that attacked Vakeri Koodalloor native Prajeesh, a dairy farmer. The visuals of the tiger have been recorded in two cameras installed near the poultry farm in Koodalloor. The tiger was identified by comparing this with the picture in the possession of the forest department.

After identifying the man-eating tiger, the Chief Wildlife Warden issued an order to shoot the animal if not captured. Dr Arun Zachariah, Assistant Director of the Department of Animal Husbandry, reached Vakeri as part of this.