Elusive tiger which killed three persons spotted near Ooty; 45 schools to remain shut in area

Chennai: An elusive tiger which is believed to have killed three people near Ooty has been spotted in the tea gardens in the Kundachappai area, twelve days after the first attack.

Senior forest officials say they've cornered the big cat to a radius of 500 metres. They are hopeful of catching the tiger today.

The Chief Conservator of Forests, Mr K Kandasamy said, "We are on the right track; this is the same animal, it is elusive but weak, we are confident of getting him".

Authorities are using thermal cameras to track the animal. Traps are also in place to lure him so he can be caught alive.

Forty-five schools around Ooty will remain shut today for safety reasons. Three people were killed in tiger attacks over the last two weeks.

The restriction on public movement due to the tiger scare is affecting the livelihood of local people with several farm labourers going without jobs for almost two weeks. Plucking  of tea leaves in the estates in the area where the animal was spotted has also been been suspended since the past week.