Forest Department officials of the Mutthodi Range in Chikkamagaluru have filed a complaint with the Mallandur police, alleging theft of two camera trap units installed as part of the tiger census at the Kattehole section.
In his complaint, G.M. Basha, Deputy Range Forest Officer (DRFO) of the Kattehole section, stated that four cameras had been installed in the section to monitor tiger movement as part of the census. Two cameras each were placed at Jenusirigudda in Koolagame village and in the deemed forest area of Kesavinamane village. The forest staff visited the sites daily to check on the cameras. However, when they visited the Kesavinamane site on May 5, the two cameras were missing.
A subsequent search of the surrounding area yielded no results. Each camera is valued at ₹20,000, putting the total loss at ₹40,000. Suspecting theft, the DRFO filed a complaint on May 8.