COIMBATORE: A 54-year-old farmer was killed in a suspected tiger attack in Gudalur in the Nilgiris on Friday, triggering protests by villagers who demanded that the carnivore be captured immediately.

The incident is the second suspected tiger attack death reported in the area this month. According to the Forest Department, Ravichandran, a resident of Larston No. 4 area under O’ Valley Town Panchayat, was working in his coffee plantation, about 20 metres from his house, when he was attacked.

When he failed to return home for lunch, his family members went looking for him. They were shocked to find a tiger feeding on his body amid the coffee plants. The animal fled after villagers gathered at the spot.

Forest Department personnel later arrived and attempted to recover the body for post-mortem. However, villagers staged a protest, insisting that the tiger be captured before the body was removed. They also accused the forest department of failing to prevent the second fatal attack in the area.

The incident comes barely a fortnight after another farmer, Balakrishnan, was killed and his body partially consumed by a suspected tiger in the same O’ Valley locality on August 8. Officials held talks with the protesters, who continued their agitation until night.

Meanwhile, a veterinary team led by Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) veterinarian K Rajesh Kumar, along with Forest Department personnel armed with tranquilliser guns, launched a search for the tiger. Three cages were also installed in the locality to trap the animal and enhance monitoring efforts.