Idukki, Kerala: A rescue operation to capture a 10-year-old male tiger in Kerala’s Idukki district ended in tragedy when the big cat was shot dead after a failed tranquillization attempt.
Rescue Mission Turns Deadly
The tiger had strayed into human settlements, prompting forest officials to launch a tracking operation using drones and sniffer dogs. After locating the animal, the team moved swiftly, aiming to tranquilize and capture it alive.
“We fired the tranquillizer dart from just 15 meters away,” a senior forest official told PTI. “Given that it was an inhabited area, we had no choice but to take the risk.”
However, instead of collapsing, the tiger lunged at the rescue team, injuring a forest guard and smashing the helmet of another. A second tranquillizer shot was fired, but the tiger remained aggressive. With no alternative left, the team opened fire, killing the animal on the spot.
The Unpredictability of Tranquillization
Tranquillizing wild animals, particularly tigers, is an intricate and risky process. Even after sedation, stress, metabolism, and previous exposure to drugs can lead to unpredictable reactions.
According to Dr. Ravikant S. Khobragade, a wildlife veterinarian from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, the correct dose is crucial. “An underdose can make the tiger more aggressive, while an overdose can be fatal,” he explained.
Wildlife experts highlight that stress levels play a significant role in sedation failure. “A tiger under extreme stress may have an increased heart rate and adrenaline rush, making the standard dosage ineffective,” said conservation biologist Krishnendu Basak.
Tranquillization Attempts Gone Wrong
This isn’t the first time a tranquillization effort has ended in tragedy. Several such incidents across India highlight the risks involved in capturing big cats:
- Rajasthan, 2024: A tiger that had strayed from Sariska Tiger Reserve attacked three people. A rescue team attempted to tranquilize it, but the tiger leapt onto their vehicle and escaped.
- Ranthambore, 2023: A tiger named T-104 (Cheeku) was declared a conflict animal after killing three people. Despite being successfully darted and transported, he died hours later due to an undiagnosed lung infection.
- Kaziranga, Assam, 2009: A tranquillization attempt resulted in both human and tiger fatalities when a panicked tiger killed a specialist overseeing its rescue before being shot dead.
The Need for Safer Capture Strategies
Experts stress that better planning, improved drug formulations, and deeper understanding of tiger behavior are necessary to prevent such tragic outcomes. Zeenat, a tigress from Tadoba-Andhari, serves as a stark reminder of this. After being tranquilized multiple times, she refused to eat and suffered from severe stress, leading to her eventual capture in Bankura, West Bengal.
As India’s tiger population grows, human-wildlife conflicts are becoming more frequent. Finding ways to safely manage these encounters is crucial—not just to protect people, but to ensure the survival of these majestic creatures.
