Panic gripped in the plantation town Valparai in the district after tea estate workers noticed a tiger devouring a calf in the early hours of today.

A few workers plucking tea leaves in Kanchaalai Estate heard some noise and noticed the animal eating a calf. They alerted the management, police said.

As more workers started gathering near the spot, the animal left the place leaving carcass of the calf.

A worker Ravi, who has been rearing cows, said his three-year old calf had been missing since last night, police added.

Forest officials rushed to the spot and were ascertaining whether the carnivore was a tiger or leopard.