This is a particular tragedy in Kerala as it is reported that a 45-year-old aunt of Indian cricketer Minnu Mani has been mauled to death by a tiger while walking to work at a Wayanad coffee plantation in the early morning. Radha was said to be on her way to work when she suddenly encountered the tiger, who attacked her while she was apparently passing through a forested area.
Local authorities hurried to the location once distress calls began coming from other workers close to the area; unfortunately, however, Radha did not make it. The attack has caused a shock within the community. Most people, particularly the family, express condolence on Minnu Mani, one of the influential players in the Indian women’s cricket team.
This incident sadly reminds one of the continuous human-wildlife conflict in the area: this state has been witnessing tigers and other wild animals often entering the tiger’s dens and getting into local communities living in or near forested areas. The government has promised enhanced safety measures to prevent such attacks in the future, but the risk to plantation workers is high in certain areas of Kerala.
The loss has deeply affected the Mani family and their community, as they mourn the sudden and violent death of a loved one. Authorities have now launched an investigation to track the tiger responsible and ensure the safety of local residents and workers.