In a rare and unexpected event, a tiger ventured out of the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve forests and made its way to Athkona village, leaving locals in awe and prompting a significant gathering of onlookers.
The incident occurred in the quiet night hours when the tiger managed to escape the confines of the Tiger Reserve and reached Athkona village, nearly 20 kilometers away. The big cat found an unusual resting spot on the wall of the Gurudwara, captivating the attention of villagers and sparking a buzz on social media.
Journalist Kanwardeep Singh, from the Times of India, shared the unfolding situation on social media, bringing it to the attention of Ramesh Pandey, the Inspector General of Forests at the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Government of India.
In response to the journalist’s post, Pandey highlighted the challenges faced by field officers in safely relocating such animals back to the jungle. He expressed concerns about potential risks to both humans and the tiger in case of attempted escapes, citing previous incidents in Pilibhit.
The forest department was promptly notified by vigilant locals, and they took immediate action by setting up a security cordon using a net. A video circulating on social media captured the intensity of the moment, with locals standing just meters away from the tiger. Some even climbed onto the rooftops of nearby houses to catch a glimpse of the magnificent creature.
After nearly 10 hours, a rescue team from the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve successfully captured the tigress. However, the rescue was not without its challenges, as limited resources led to the unfortunate method of dragging the tiger by its tail during the capture.
The incident prompted mixed reactions from the public, as seen in various comments online. Some compared the fortunate encounter to their own efforts of traveling long distances to see tigers in reserves, while others expressed concerns about the safety of both the tiger and the onlookers. There were also voices emphasizing the intrusion of human settlements into the natural habitats of these majestic creatures.
As the captured tiger is safely returned to the Tiger Reserve, the incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between wildlife conservation and human coexistence, urging authorities to address the challenges posed by such unexpected encounters.
'A tiger in my house' statement of a local resident from Athkona village in UP's Pilibhit. People from several villages have gathered to see this magestic species.
The village is nearly 20 Kms from Pilibhit Tiger Reserve forests. @rameshpandeyifs
Video credit: Tariq Qureshi pic.twitter.com/j0Ybaa1xDb— Kanwardeep singh (@KanwardeepsTOI) December 26, 2023
