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India Today
19-05-2025
- India Today
Open-top safari vehicles: Are they worth the risk in forest tourism?
Being an automotive journalist comes with its fair share of perks. One of the most exciting is the opportunity to travel, often to the farthest corners of India and beyond. Over the past two decades, my journeys have taken me into nearly every major forest in India. From the dense landscapes of Ranthambore National Park and the serene wilderness of Bandipur Tiger Reserve, to the quiet expanse of Sariska and my personal favourite, Corbett National trips haven't always been just for work. I often return on my own time, drawn back by the beauty of the wild. Across countless safaris that I have been a part of in the past, I've ridden in everything from modified Maruti Suzuki Gypsys to the larger Canters. Despite the differences in size or style, they all shared one trait: they were open-top brings me to an important question: are open-top vehicles really the best choice for forest safaris? Especially when ferrying groups of tourists through habitats where wild animals roam freely, and often without any guards or immediate backup in case of an emergency?Why I say what I say I write this as I am concerned over the recent developments at Ranthambore National Park, where a tigress named Kankati has been involved in multiple human fatalities - the most recent being forest ranger Devendra Chaudhary, who was killed on May story traces back to Kankati's mother, Arrowhead, a celebrated tigress in the park. She was found limping and, upon examination, was diagnosed with an incurable disease. Since she was nursing cubs at the time, forest officials decided to provide her with live bait to ensure her survival. Kankati, in turn, was raised on that bait. This arrangement continued until Kankati began attacking humans. So much so that she recently killed Ranger Chaudhary just meters away from the popular tourist spot - the historic Jogi Mahal Hunting Lodge and Ranthambore Fort - while tourist Gypsys waited to experts, Kankati may now associate Gypsy vehicles with food. The emerging fear is chilling: a Gypsy arrives, something steps out, and she perceives it as prey. If that's the case, isn't there a possibility of an attack on tourist vehicles as well?Are open-top vehicles safe?In forests across the country, the primary choice of vehicle is a Maruti Suzuki Gypsy. This is because the use of diesel vehicles is prohibited in most forests and the Gypsy, being a petrol-powered car, works just fine. It also comes with 4x4 ability, and this means that the rough tracks within the forest can be dealt with easily. Most importantly, the Gypsy is a soft-top vehicle and hence, the view of the forest is clear to the passengers. Operators also customise these vehicles with forward-facing bench seats that allow them to carry more passengers than mentioned in the registration certificate. While all that is fine, there is one factor that remains unquestioned. What if an animal attacks or charges?advertisementThe other vehicle in use is the Canter. These are large trucks that are retrofitted with seats and have high shoulder lines. This, at least, provides more security for the passengers within, although they still remain true safety net at the momentYour true safety net while in these open-top vehicles is the guide and the driver. They are experienced enough and know what to do in case of an attack. Some drivers also told me that in the forest, the threat is more from elephants rather than the tiger or a leopard. In a recent incident in Kaziranga National Park, a safari vehicle was chased by a rhino and the only reason they got away in one piece was the driver, who patiently negotiated the obstacles to get the tourists to January 6, a woman and her daughter were out on a jungle safari in Kaziranga National Park. To their horror, a rhino charged at the open-top Gypsy and the driver, as is the protocol, drove hard to keep the occupants safe. However, in one instance, he had to take a hard turn. As a result of which, the duo fell out of the vehicle and were left at the mercy of the wild animals. Needless to say, it was not the driver's fault, but rather the fact that the vehicle was not prepared animals attackIt is not uncommon for animals to charge at vehicles, but it's important to realise that the real issue lies with humans. We are the ones encroaching on spaces meant for wildlife. The animals are not at fault. An elephant with a calf is surely going to charge if it feels threatened, and so is the case with other animals. This is a common occurrence in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve, where the national highway cuts through the forest. Most drivers have no clue what to do if they spot an elephant on the road. Honking is not the solution, but keeping a wide berth what is the best way?There is little doubt that forest safaris are something everyone enjoys and so do I. But I was once told by a renowned conservationist that most animals perceive the Gypsy as a harmless object that frequently passes by, usually carrying a bunch of things (read: humans), and that strange noises (read: camera shutter clicks) often accompany its presence. But mock charges are common as animals charge as a protective move, mostly. So, is it right to let tourists go in as bait? Is there a solution? I think there one of my travels, I visited Bannerghatta National Park near Bengaluru. In this park, wild animals roam freely within large enclosures, while the ones kept in cages are, ironically, humans. Tourists are taken in large, fully-caged canters. These vehicles offer good visibility while ensuring safety. Wildlife often come close to vehicles, and at times, even climb onto them. This offers the kind of thrill one desires and safety is ensured as well. However, this method isn't entirely foolproof. A full-grown elephant, for instance, has the strength to topple such a vehicle. Still, it offers a far greater level of safety compared to venturing in as live Kankati has already been shifted to an enclosure, and her fate is yet to be decided by humans. To conclude, I just hope and pray that Kankati and her cubs do not come to associate the Gypsy with food - or worse, see whatever steps out of it as bless our precious wildlife.(Rahul Ghosh is Associate Editor at Auto Today with over two decades of experience in vehicle evaluation, intercontinental drives and everything else automotive. On the Jury for Indian Car of the Year and Indian Motorcycle of the Year)(Views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author)
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Time of India
Tragedy strikes Ranthambore: Tigress claim second victim – essential safari safety tips
In a tragic incident at Rajasthan's Ranthambore National Park , a sub-adult tigress, offspring of the renowned Arrowhead (T-84), fatally attacked 40-year-old forest ranger Devendra Chaudhary near the Jogi Mahal area. This marks the second fatal attack by the same tigress within a month, following the death of a 7-year-old boy in April. The tigress may be tranquilised and moved to an enclosure in the Taleda range, according to the forest department. Experts warn that prior attempts to house tigers in this location have resulted in clashes with wild tigers, and that this area is located within a natural tiger corridor. There are practical difficulties in keeping a tiger in an enclosure inside the core area as well. The tigress's hostility is ascribed by conservationists to poor forest management, which includes baiting techniques that made the cubs less fearful of people. Read more: Cyclone Shakti alert: What it means for travel and monsoon In response to the incident, Rajasthan's Environment Minister Sanjay Sharma visited Chaudhary's family, offering condolences and assuring government support, including a job for the widow in the education department and financial assistance. Tips for safe safari experiences in Ranthambore While the recent events highlight the importance of safety, Ranthambore National Park remains a premier destination for wildlife enthusiasts. Follow these essential steps to keep your safari experience thrilling, not chilling. Book official safaris: Always opt for government-approved safari operators to ensure safety and compliance with park regulations. Follow guide instructions: Listen attentively to your guide's advice and adhere to all safety protocols during the safari. Stay inside the vehicle: Never attempt to exit the vehicle during the safari, even if animals are nearby. Avoid loud noises: Keep noise levels to a minimum to prevent startling wildlife and to enhance your chances of observing animals in their natural behavior. Respect wildlife: Maintain a safe distance from all animals and avoid any actions that could disturb their natural habitat. Read more: 5 states where every city feels like a different country The recent tragic events in Ranthambore underscore the complex dynamics between humans and wildlife in protected areas. It is imperative for authorities to implement effective wildlife management strategies to prevent such incidents in the future. Simultaneously, visitors must remain vigilant and adhere to safety protocols to ensure a harmonious coexistence with nature. Future-Proof Your Child with AI Skills | Limited Early Bird Seats – 33% OFF! | WhatsApp: 9560500838
The Independent
13-05-2025
- The Independent
Indian reserve tigress kills forest ranger in second attack on humans in as many months
A tigress killed a forest ranger inside a national reserve in the Indian state of Rajasthan on Sunday, authorities confirmed. He was the second human victim of the tigress named Kankati. A seven-year-old child was killed by the same predator in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Sawai Madhopur last month. The ranger, Devendra Chaudhary, 40, was killed Sunday afternoon after the animal grabbed him by the neck and dragged him into the forest, according to eyewitnesses. Chaudhary was taken to a local hospital but declared dead on arrival, a forest official told The Times of India. Chaudhary is survived by his wife and one-and-a-half-year-old son. 'Tourism has been suspended in parts of the reserve where the tigress was last seen,' Ranthambhore's field director, KR Anoop, told The Independent. He said the state's forest department formed a committee on Tuesday to decide whether to relocate Kankati. They had also halted pilgrimage to the Trinetra Ganesh temple inside the reserve until further notice, he said. Forest officials said there had been increased sightings of tigers along the pilgrim route to the temple and at an old fort inside the reserve. Kankati fatally attacked a seven-year-old boy walking back from the temple with his grandmother on April 16. The tiger reportedly emerged from the forest and dragged the child away. Kankati is the daughter of an ageing tigress named Arrowhead. Kankati is a Hindi word that roughly translates to someone with a torn ear. Kankati is identifiable to rangers and safari guides by her torn ear. Mr Anoop told The Independent the forest department had resorted to using firecrackers to deter tigers from crowded areas inside the reserve for now. He said the department started 'bursting crackers to keep tigers away after the last incident of last month' in which the seven-year-old was killed. Reserve workers started feeding Kankati's mother in 2023 after a hip injury left her unable to hunt, The Indian Express reported. Her cubs – Kankati and two other tigresses – too started feeding on the bait and came to roam crowded areas near Jogi Mahal, an iconic hunting lodge used by erstwhile rulers of the region. There are 13-14 tigers currently active in the vicinity of the temple, the fort and Jogi Mahal. The newspaper reported that officials dismissed calls to shift Kankati after last month's fatality and instead opted to use firecrackers to deter tigers. Like the Trinetra Ganesh temple in Ranthambore, there are religious sites inside several other tiger reserves in India where pilgrims routinely make offerings. The National Tiger Conservation Authority has mandated that every reserve develop plans to manage religious tourism, but a 2019 study found that efforts to implement conservation measures had been hampered by the challenge of balancing ecological protection with community visitation rights. One example is Kerala's Periyar Tiger Reserve, where the Sabarimala temple, a renowned Hindu shrine, draws five to six million pilgrims each year. Activists say it causes disturbance to the wildlife and significant environmental damage to the reserve's fragile forest ecosystem. Kankati is not the first maneater in Ranthambore. A tiger named Ustad was linked to the deaths of four people in the reserve between 2010 and 2015. The animal killed a local villager in July 2010 and another in March 2012. In October 2012, it reportedly killed a forest guard and in May 2015 fatally mauled Rampal Saini, a veteran forest ranger, near the Trinetra Ganesh temple. The May 2015 attack sparked outrage among local villagers who demanded that Ustad be relocated. The maneater was removed to the Sajjangarh Biological Park in Udaipur in 2016.
News18
13-05-2025
- News18
Ranthambore Tigress Kills Forest Ranger Weeks After Killing 7-Year-Old Boy
Last Updated: In response to the fatal mauling, forest officials have initiated plans to tranquilise and relocate the tigress to an enclosure in the Taleda range. The uneasy calm of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan was shattered once again as a sub-adult tigress, reportedly the offspring of the famed T-84, fatally attacked a forest ranger near the historic Jogi Mahal. The incident, which took place on Sunday, May 11, ignited fresh concerns over growing human-wildlife conflict within the reserve and raised serious questions about the forest department's handling of rising aggression among young tigers. The victim, Devendra Chaudhary, a 40-year-old forest ranger, was on duty when he was ambushed by the tigress. According to a forest official cited by The Times of India, the animal 'grabbed the ranger by the neck and dragged him inside the forest." Chaudhary was rushed to the district hospital but was declared dead on arrival. 'This is the second death in a tiger attack within a month," a forest official official confirmed. 'Chaudhary joined the forest department about 8 years ago, taking his late father's place as a forester. He was recently promoted to the ranger's post. He is survived by his wife and a one-and-a-half-year-old son," he said. The same sub-adult tigress, whose behaviour has become increasingly bold and aggressive, was earlier linked to the killing of a seven-year-old boy. These repeated attacks have turned the spotlight on the forest department's apparent lack of timely action. Despite growing signs of danger, no concrete intervention had been implemented to mitigate the threat posed by the young tigresses frequenting the tourist-heavy Jogi Mahal zone. In response to Sunday's fatal mauling, forest officials have initiated plans to tranquilise and relocate the tigress to an enclosure in the Taleda range. However, according to a TOI report, the move remains mired in internal debate. Sources told the publication that the proposal to sedate and shift the tigress is still under consideration. The delay stems partly from concerns over the tigress' classification as a 'man-eater" after the two deaths. One such incident involved an aggressive male tiger, T-104, which was caged in the same facility. The captive tiger had a bloody confrontation with free-ranging wild tigers, resulting in severe injuries from the iron bars and heightened stress for all animals involved. Experts have since warned against keeping large carnivores confined for extended periods in core forest zones. 'The decision to keep the tigress in the enclosure may prove to be wrong," a senior source reportedly said, adding, 'Enclosures in such ecologically sensitive areas need constant care, cleaning, and attention, which is difficult to maintain in the long term." Wildlife experts are now urging authorities to consider transferring the tigress to a more suitable location, such as a biological park in Jaipur or Udaipur. Some forest department insiders have also revealed that a pattern of feeding bait to the sub-adult tigers may have worsened the situation. 'The tigress, which was previously unable to hunt, was regularly fed bait. This attracted vehicles and humans, reducing the natural fear the cubs had of people," a source reportedly said. This conditioning could have played a key role in the recent attacks. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Rajasthan Environment Minister Sanjay Sharma, along with Deeg-Kumher MLA Shailesh Singh, visited the grieving family in Narayan Ka Kheda. Minister Sharma assured them that the state government would support them and provide a government job, specifically in the education department, to Choudhary's widow. 'The state stands with the family during this difficult time," he said during his visit. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 13, 2025, 14:50 IST
Hindustan Times
13-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Same tiger behind ranger's death and April 16 child attack at Ranthambore: Official
The tiger which fatally attacked a forest ranger at Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR) on Sunday is suspected to be the same one responsible for the death of a 7-year-old boy on April 16, officials aware of the matter said. The RTR administration has submitted a detailed report to the forest department, including recommendations and a request for further guidance on handling the situation. 'The tiger which killed the ranger and the one which killed the boy 24 days ago are the same,' a senior forest official familiar with the matter said. 'A detailed report has been sent to the government, with recommendations on how to handle the big cat', the official added. The victim, Ranger Devendra Chaudhary, was attacked near the historic Jogi Mahal area while on duty. Also Read:Tiger mauls 7-year-old boy to death in Ranthambore On April 16, a young boy from Lakheri village in Bundi district was killed in a similar incident near the Trinetra Ganesh Temple, also within the reserve. Preliminary assessments suggest that the tiger involved in both attacks may be one of the cubs of Tigress Arrowhead. These cubs, estimated to be around 20 months old, have reportedly exhibited increasingly bold behavior around humans. According to officials aware of the details said that after the boy's death in April, RTR authorities recommended relocating the tiger cubs to a non-tourism zone — specifically Lapur in the Khandar area of the reserve — but no decision was made at the time. Officials have also raised concerns about the practice of placing bait for the tigers near Jogi Mahal, a busy area close to the Zone-3 gate. According to one senior forest staffer, bait had been provided in that area because Tigress Arrowhead was unable to hunt. As a result, the cubs may have become habituated to the presence of vehicles and humans due to the repeated arrival of safari canters bringing bait. He said it is believed that due to this constant routine, the cubs likely lost their distance or fear of humans. It is possible that when the ranger's vehicle stopped during patrolling, the tiger—already present in the area—might have pounced on him. A forest guard who responded to the incident claimed that two cubs were seen sitting beside the ranger's body after the attack. They only retreated after warning shots were fired into the air.
