Chandrapur: Tigers are in the news for the wrong reason once again. A
tiger killed a person, this time in South Bramhapuri forest range, on Tuesday, and the mutilated remains were recovered in Pawanpar forest. In another development,
Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) authorities have stopped tourist entry from Madnapur gate after a video clip showed a tiger charging at a Gypsy carrying tourists.
Jairam Kolhe (70), the victim at Pawanpar forest, was a resident of Gogaon village, and had gone to collect tall grass, used to make brooms, on Tuesday morning. When he did not return by late afternoon, his kin and villagers started a search in the forest the same evening. They resumed their search on Wednesday morning, only to recover his mutilated remains.
Sources said the tiger had eaten most of the body. The skull and limbs were recovered scattered in compartment no. 165 of South Bramhapuri range. Forest officials confirmed the presence of tiger in the area, but claimed the involvement of tiger could be confirmed only after receipt of forensic report. Ex gratia aid of Rs25,000 was paid to the kin of the victim.
This is the ninth human kill in predator attack in the district this year. Eight of these persons have been killed in tiger attacks, while one was killed by a sloth bear.
Meanwhile, a clip of a Gypsy speeding away from a charging tiger has gone viral on social media. Sources said a tiger moving with its mate in the area charged at the tourist vehicle near a tigress over a kill. Buffer zone authorities have taken note and closed the area for tourism after the incident a few days back.
Madnapur area has become popular among tourists for sighting of tiger and tigress since some time. A few days back, tourists found the tigress devouring a kill at the road side, close to Madnapur gate, on Chimur side of buffer zone. While they were busy clicking pictures of the tigress, a tiger on the other side of the road got irked and charged at the Gypsy carrying tourists. The driver immediately sped away, averting any unfortunate incident.
Sources in the buffer zone said the tiger in the area was injured in some territorial fight, and is dependent on its mate for kills.
fdsf