Mysuru, 24 Dec

Forest officials have launched a combing operation to capture a tiger and tigress after they attacked two youths and injured a cow in Negattur, a forest-fringe village in Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, Hunsur taluk. The operation began Wednesday, with cages and trap cameras installed at four strategic locations following the previous day’s attack.

On Tuesday afternoon, the tigers targeted Harshithgowda while he was tilling fields belonging to a local farmer, Zammer. Harshithgowda escaped by driving his tractor to safety. A cowherd who tried to intervene also survived by hiding in a pump house. During the encounter, one of the tigers injured a cow, dragging it several metres before retreating into the forest.

Villagers expressed anger over the delayed response, gheraoing forest officials, including Range Forest Officer Subramanya. Assistant Conservator of Forests Lakshmikanth explained that the incidents occurred during the tigers’ mating season.