Tiger strays out, attacks villagers in Ranthambore

TNN | Jul 18, 2012, 04.38AM IST JAIPUR: Panic gripped Mai village in Khandar range area outside the Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur district when two persons were injured after a tiger attacked them. The incident took place on Tuesday morning when some villagers gathered outside a bush apprehending the presence of a tiger. Armed with batons and stones, the villagers waited outside the bush. Suddenly, the tiger jumped on two of the villagers and disappeared inside the dense forest area, wildlife sources said. Soon after, wildlife officials including director of the park, Rajesh Gupta and a team of rapid action force rushed to the spot to identify the tiger. "The tiger was T-20 which had came out of the core area and was found at Mai village in Khandar range. It was immediately tranquilized. Later, our team left the big cat in the park area," district forest officer Y K Sahoo said. "One of the injured on whom the tiger pounced upon had got his shoulder fractured," the officer said. Though it was the first incident of the year, the Ranthambore National Park had witnessed straying incidents of the tigers in the past. It may be recalled that in 2010, a forest ranger Daulat Singh Shaktawar was injured after being attacked by a tiger. Likewise a 22-year-old villager was also injured by a tiger in the area. In 2011, a forest guard was also injured after a tiger pounced upon him. The attack on the villagers by tigers from the park early has not come as a surprise for the forest officials. While some feel that such instances are common in tiger sanctuaries all around, others blame it on the over crowding of the Ranthambore park. During monsoon, tigers spread out to the periphery of the forest and often stray out. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Tiger-strays-out-attacks-villagers-in-Ranthambore/articleshow/15024812.cms