Speeding train fatally knocks down tiger near Shencottai

The tiger that was fatally knocked down by a speeding train near Poolankudiyiruppu on November 4, 2026.

A healthy tiger was fatally knocked down by a speeding train on the Shencottai – Ariyankaavu ghat section in the early hours of Wednesday (November 4, 2026).

According to the officials of Tenkasi Forest Division, the tiger, aged about 4 to 5 years, was knocked down apparently by the Palakkad – Thoothukudi Palaruvi Express when the wild animal crossed the railway track at Poolankudiyiruppu between Bhagavathipuram, the last railway station within Tamil Nadu boundary on this section, and Ariyankavu around 1 a.m. Wednesday.

The incident came to light only after 3 a.m. when passersby saw the carcass of the tiger lying on the railway track with head injury.

On getting information, District Forest Officer R. Rajmohan, Assistant Conservator of Forest, Tenkasi, Nellainayagam and others rushed to the spot and examined the injuries.

“The right side of the skull had been completely damaged as the train had hit the tiger at high velocity. We could not spot any other major life-threatening injury on the tiger. I cannot comprehend how this highly agile and shy animal was caught on the middle of the track only to be hit by the speeding train,” Dr. Rajmohan wondered adding that the tiger may not have been in a position to read the speed of the train rushing towards it with blinding light.

After on-the-spot autopsy, the corpse was incinerated there as per the protocols of National Tiger Conservation Authority.

“This unfortunate mishap and colossal loss, has proved that this region has tigers, which have not been spotted directly in recent times while camera traps have proved their presence here on several occasions. Also, the healthy animal weighed about 250 Kg which means that prey base in this region is very rich. Even though a new tiger will fill this void soon, the loss is something immeasurable,” Dr. Rajmohan said.