Wayanad Tiger WWL 48 Captured After Fatal Attack, Political Satire Sparks Row

A tiger blamed for a deadly human attack in Kerala’s Wayanad district has been captured by forest officials, ending days of fear and protests across the region. The animal, officially identified as WWL 48 from the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, was secured in a cage early Friday, according to a post by Malayalam news channel Kairali News.

വയനാട് വന്യജീവി സങ്കേതത്തിലെ WWL 48 എന്ന കടുവയാണ് കൂട്ടിലായത്#tiger #kerala #wayanad #kairalinews pic.twitter.com/PoSN6ELJtA

— Kairali News (@kairalinews) December 26, 2025

The capture brings temporary relief to residents of Pulppalli and nearby areas, where the tiger had repeatedly strayed into human settlements. The incident had escalated into a major safety and political issue following the death of a tribal man earlier this week.

Forest officials confirmed that the tiger was trapped after an intensive operation involving cages, monitoring teams, and tranquilisation efforts. Authorities said the immediate threat to villagers has now been neutralised.

The incident, however, has also triggered controversy online due to a satirical graphic shared by Kairali News alongside its announcement.

Tiger Linked to Fatal Attack in Wayanad

The tiger had been under watch since mid-December after reports of sightings near homes and farmlands in Wayanad. Tensions peaked around December 20, when a tribal resident named Kooman was killed in the Devar Gadha area of Pulppalli.

According to local accounts, the victim was attacked and dragged into the forest, sparking outrage among villagers. Residents blocked roads and staged protests, demanding immediate action from the Kerala Forest Department.

There were also allegations that the tiger had previously been involved in attacks in neighbouring Mysore, Karnataka, before crossing into Kerala. While officials have not publicly confirmed those claims, the animal was treated as a high-risk case.

Following the killing, forest authorities issued orders to capture the tiger rather than shoot it, a decision that drew mixed reactions. Some residents demanded the animal be killed to prevent further loss of life, while wildlife groups urged restraint.

Capture Confirmed on December 26

On December 26, Kairali News posted an update on X stating, in Malayalam, that the tiger known as WWL 48 from the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary had been caged. The post carried hashtags related to Kerala, Wayanad, and tiger conservation.

The tiger was trapped using a cage set up by the forest department after tracking its movements. Officials involved in the operation said the animal would now undergo medical examination and behavioural assessment.

Authorities are expected to decide whether the tiger will be relocated to another facility, kept under long-term captivity, or handled under existing wildlife protocols.

Satirical Graphic Triggers Political Debate

The Kairali News post drew attention not only for the update but also for the graphic attached to it. The image showed a tiger behind bars with bold Malayalam text that appeared to suggest “Wayanad’s Narendra Moji in custody,” before revealing that it referred to a tiger.

The wording is widely seen as a satirical play on the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and it immediately sparked debate. Critics accused the channel of politicising a serious wildlife and human safety issue, while supporters defended it as satire.

Kairali News is known for its political commentary and is associated with the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front in Kerala. Wayanad itself is a politically sensitive region, as it is the parliamentary constituency of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

The channel has not issued a clarification or apology regarding the graphic as of the latest update.

Human-Wildlife Conflict in Focus

Wildlife experts say the incident highlights a growing problem in Wayanad and other parts of the Western Ghats. Expanding human settlements, shrinking forest buffers, and changing land use patterns have increased encounters between people and large predators.

Forest officials involved in the operation said such situations are becoming more frequent and require long-term planning beyond emergency captures.

Local residents, meanwhile, say relief over the tiger’s capture is tempered by fear that similar incidents could recur.

Why This Matters

The capture of WWL 48 ends an immediate threat but exposes deeper challenges. Human-wildlife conflict directly affects lives, livelihoods, and public trust in conservation policies. The political controversy around the news coverage also shows how sensitive such incidents have become in charged environments like Wayanad.

For residents, the event underscores concerns about safety. For authorities, it raises questions about preparedness, compensation, and preventive measures.

What Happens Next

Forest officials are expected to conduct health checks on the tiger and decide its long-term fate under wildlife protection rules. The Kerala government may also review safety measures in fringe forest areas.

Further updates are likely on compensation for the victim’s family and steps to prevent future intrusions.

Key Takeaways

• Tiger WWL 48 linked to a fatal attack in Wayanad has been captured
• The animal was caged on December 26 after days of fear and protests
• A tribal man was killed earlier this week, triggering public outrage
• A satirical news graphic sparked political controversy online
• The incident highlights rising human-wildlife conflict in Kerala

FAQ

Was the tiger killed?

No. The tiger was captured alive and placed in a forest department cage.

Who was the victim of the attack?

A tribal man named Kooman was killed in the Pulppalli area of Wayanad.

Why did the news post cause controversy?

The graphic used satirical wording referencing a political figure, which many viewed as inappropriate during a serious incident.