In a first for the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR), forest authorities have registered a case against an Instagram user under stringent sections of the Wildlife Protection Act for chasing a tiger at night using a car's high beams to capture a video for social media. The incident has raised alarms among conservationists over the direct harassment of endangered wildlife and the growing misuse of social media platforms, where creators frequently risk animal safety for digital engagement and views.
Incident Details
The investigation was triggered by a one-minute video uploaded by an Instagram account operating under the handle 'mile.chasers'. In the footage, an adult tiger is purportedly seen walking slowly along the roadside. Even as the feline attempts to retreat into the safety of the forest, the occupants of the vehicle continue to track it, blinding the animal with high-beam headlights to keep filming. Disturbed by the persistent glare, the tiger is seen returning to the road.
Official Response
PTR Divisional Forest Officer Manish Singh stated that the video was captured on the Madhotanda-Uttarakhand road, a key route cutting directly through the highly sensitive core forest stretch of the Mahof forest range. “Chasing a scheduled wild animal is a cognizable offense. This viral video could easily leak critical, real-time data about tiger movements to poachers and wildlife criminals, posing a severe threat to the tigers’ survival,” said the DFO.
Officials emphasized that using high-intensity lights and vehicles to pursue wildlife causes severe psychological distress to the animals and disrupts their natural nocturnal behavior.
Legal Action
The forest department has registered a case under sections 9, 27, 29, 39, and 48B of the Wildlife Protection Act, alongside Section 26 of the Indian Forest Act. Officials are currently working in active coordination with the district police's cyber crime cell to trace the digital footprint of the Instagram account holder and execute an arrest.
Preventive Measures
In response to the breach, PTR authorities have announced intensive, immediate night patrolling by forest forces along the vulnerable road stretch to prevent future violations and protect the reserve's wildlife from reckless travelers.
