Wayanad Trekker Narrowly Escapes Tiger Encounter in Idukki’s Kolukkumalai
Kolukkumalai, Idukki: A routine trek turned into a heart-stopping experience for a 29-year-old man from Wayanad, who narrowly escaped a close encounter with a wild tiger in the dense forests of Kolukkumalai last Friday. The incident, captured on video, has since gone viral, highlighting the unpredictable dangers of trekking in wildlife-rich regions.
Close Call with a Sleeping Tiger
Riyas Mohammed, a Wayanad native working in Kolukkumalai for the past five years, was on a casual evening trek with two local youngsters when he spotted an unusual sight—a massive tiger resting under a short tree.
“While walking ahead with my phone filming the locales, I spotted something near a short tree. It took me just a few seconds to realise that it was a tiger,” Riyas recounted. The tiger, seemingly in a deep afternoon nap, had its tail swaying gently, facing away from the trekkers.
A Split-Second Escape
Realizing the imminent danger, Riyas immediately turned and fled, alerting his companions. “I wasn’t sure whether the tiger saw me, but I immediately turned and ran, alerting my friends who were following me. We fled the spot in no time,” he said.
Only later did Riyas discover that his phone had inadvertently captured the tiger on video—a chilling reminder of their near-fatal encounter. The trio promptly reported the incident to the Forest Department, which conducted an inspection but found no trace of the big cat at the scene.
Watch the Viral Video
The footage of the sleeping tiger has since circulated on social media, sparking discussions on wildlife safety and the importance of responsible trekking in ecologically sensitive zones.
Trekking Continues Amidst Neelakurinji Blooms
Despite the terrifying encounter, the group continued their trek to another location adorned with blooming Neelakurinji flowers, a rare natural phenomenon in the Western Ghats.
Forest Department on Alert
Authorities have advised trekkers to exercise extreme caution while exploring Kolukkumalai and surrounding forested areas, as tiger sightings, though rare, are not unheard of. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between human activity and wildlife habitats.
