Idukki:
Forest officials on Monday shot dead a tiger in self-defence as it attacked them during a tranquilising mission in Vandiperiyar in this hill district of Kerala.
The injured big cat, which strayed from nearby forests, triggered panic among locals as it killed some domestic animals in Granby estate area in the recent days.
Though the wildlife officials fired tranquiliser shots when it was spotted inside a tea estate in the morning, the tiger suddenly charged at them forcing the team to open fire for self defence.
A senior wildlife official later said the second tranquiliser shot was successfully fired but the animal suddenly turned aggresive and destroyed the helmet of a wildlife staff by hitting at it.