Last Friday evening, 29-year-old Riyas Mohammed from Wayanad was enjoying a casual hike through Kolukkumala in Idukki, accompanied by two local youths. Though he was familiar with the terrain from previous treks, nothing prepared him for an unexpected encounter that would send chills down their spines.
As they wandered through the serene landscape, Riyas, walking slightly ahead while capturing videos on his phone, noticed something unusual beneath a small tree. Within moments, the puzzling sight became all too clear—it was a tiger, resting peacefully, seemingly oblivious to their presence.
“The moment I recognized the tiger, I spun around and bolted, yelling to warn my companions behind me,” recalls Riyas. The tiger, facing forward with its tail gently flicking, didn’t seem to react. But the mere sight of the big cat was enough to trigger a rush of adrenaline.
Having worked in Kolukkumala for five years with a private organization, Riyas had never experienced such a nerve-wracking moment in the wild. Later, while reviewing the footage on his phone, he discovered that the tiger had been unintentionally captured in the video—a stark reminder of how close they were to danger.
The group quickly informed forest officials, who responded but found no trace of the predator during their inspection. Shaken yet curious, the trio later continued their exploration, heading toward a blooming patch of Neelakurinji.