KOTA BARU: The male tiger, which killed an Orang Asli man on Friday, had the night before pounced on several villagers at Kampung Sau near Pos Bihai in Gua Musang.
Kelantan Wildlife and National Parks director Mohamad Hafid Rohani said the villagers were fishing at a nearby river to prepare for the 'Pesta Padi' celebration when the tiger suddenly appeared from the bushes.
"According to the villagers, the tiger tried to attack them but they managed to run to safety," said Hafid.
On the Friday incident, Hafid said 12 rangers were deployed to the village about 10am after the department received a report that a tiger had attacked an Orang Asli man.
"At the village, the rangers were informed that several villagers who searched for the missing Orang Asli man (who was later found to have been fatally mauled by the tiger) initially saw traces of blood at the back of the victim's house.
"While searching for the victim, they stumbled on the tiger and immediately threw spears at the animal when it tried to attack them.
"The ranger team later managed to track down the tiger about noon and were forced to shoot it when it tried to attack them," he said.
Hafid said checks on the animal's carcass showed it had sustained minor injuries on its face believed to be from the spears.
"This is the same one that killed the Orang Asli man known as Anek Along. The 59-year-old victim died on the spot in the incident," he said.
Hafid added that the department believed there were three tigers roaming near the village since last December.
"The department has already set up three traps - two in Kampung Tendrik and one in Kampung Hak - to capture the animals but none were caught.
In July 15, last year, he said the department captured a female tiger at Kampung Badak near Pos Bihai in Gua Musang.
"The female tiger, named 'Syamilla Bihai', had attacked and seriously injured an Orang Asli man known as Adin Andok," he added.