A Royal Bengal tiger was brutally killed and dismembered by a mob in Assam, India, reflecting escalating tensions between humans and wildlife. The incident occurred in the Golaghat district where villagers, angered by the tiger's threats to livestock and safety, took drastic action. Forest department officials confirmed this marks the state's third tiger killing of 2023, attributed to the frequent conflicts as animal habitats diminish.
Gunadeep Das, a senior forest official, informed the Times of India that the tiger succumbed to multiple sharp wounds rather than gunfire. Following the attack, as many as a thousand villagers participated in the hunt, employing machetes against the tiger. The carcass was eventually recovered for autopsy under magistrate supervision.
Mrinal Saikia, an Assam lawmaker, condemned the incident on social media, stating, “This is a very painful act. The Earth is not only for humans; it is for animals as well.” He pledged accountability for the perpetrators, sharing a video purportedly showing the tiger's mutilated remains. The BBC has not yet verified the footage's authenticity.
The origins of the deceased tiger remain undetermined, with reports indicating it was found approximately 20 kilometers from the renowned Kaziranga National Park. Assam's forest department reported a rise in the state's tiger population from 70 in 2006 to 190 in 2019, owing to conservation efforts. Yet, media reports indicate consistent conflicts leading to tiger fatalities, prompting concerns regarding habitat loss and inadequate protection of migratory routes between national parks.
Under India’s Wildlife Protection Act (1972), tigers are a protected species, with prohibition against poaching and the trade of their parts. However, ongoing confrontations suggest the urgent need for enhanced conservation measures to safeguard these magnificent creatures and mitigate conflicts with local communities.
