Tiger not at fault, victim was killed inside the park

Jan 3, 2013, 02.22AM IST TNN
m.timesofindia.com

 

NAGPUR: The situation in villages around the Navegaon National Park became tense on Wednesday after a woman – Vandana Meshram of Chikli – was killed by a tiger on Tuesday evening.

Villagers are up in arms and want forest officials to either kill or trap the animal. This is the fourth death in the last 17 days.

“However, it is yet to be established whether it is the same animal that killed three women since December 15,” said SWH Naqvi, principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) for wildlife, Maharashtra.

Naqvi said he issued orders to shoot the problem leopard that mauled three women in Dighori, Salebardi and Gudri. “I was told that it was a leopard that killed these women,” he said.

However, on Tuesday the fourth victim was killed by a tiger inside the national park where she had gone to collect fire wood. After learning about it, villagers shifted the body outside the park apprehending the family won’t get compensation.

“The tiger was so irritated that it charged at an official vehicle later. It may be a young carnivore, possibly moving in the transit route. We cannot say anything for now whether it is the same animal or different one. There is a gap of 18 days between the first and last attack. The distance is also 40km,” Naqvi said.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that no fresh orders will be given to shoot the tiger. Forest officials have been asked to drive away the tiger into the forests.