Tigress Found Shot Dead in Arunachal Pradesh After Fatal Tiger Attack
In a distressing development, authorities recovered the carcass of an adult tigress with a gunshot wound near Mayodia in Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday. This discovery comes just three days after a tiger fatally mauled head constable Chikseng Manpang on February 2, heightening tensions in the region.
Discovery and Investigation
The tiger was found along the forested Mayodia stretch on the Roing-Anini road (NH-313), the exact same area where the deadly attack occurred and where recent tiger sightings have been frequently reported, including sightings of a tigress with sub-adult cubs. A forest official stated, "We have recovered the body of a female tiger with a gunshot wound from the Mayodia area. An investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding its death. We urge the public to cooperate with authorities and refrain from taking any action that violates wildlife protection laws."
Forest and police officials are actively investigating whether the female tiger's death was linked to retaliatory action following the fatal attack on the constable or if it resulted from other circumstances. This incident has amplified growing concerns over escalating human-wildlife conflict in critical wildlife corridors.
Details of the Fatal Attack
Chikseng Manpang, a 33-year-old resident of Manfaiseng village in Namsai district and a radio operator at Roing Police Station, was returning from Anini to Roing on his motorcycle after completing official duties when he was attacked on Monday evening. His motorcycle was discovered abandoned on the roadside, and his mutilated body was recovered the following day by a joint police-forest team after an extensive search operation.
Government Response and Safety Measures
In response to the killing, the Lower Dibang Valley district administration issued urgent safety advisories restricting night travel, particularly for two-wheelers, along the high-risk stretch near the Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary. This action was taken amid multiple reports of tiger movement in the area.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, and other political leaders expressed profound grief over the incident and announced comprehensive measures. These include departmental inquiries, ex gratia payments, and enhanced preventive actions such as intensified forest patrolling. Authorities have initiated the process to provide ex-gratia assistance of Rs 10 lakh to the bereaved family, along with institutional support at the district level.
Unprecedented Tiger Sightings and Displacement
Recently, multiple tiger sightings have stunned residents and travelers along the picturesque Mayodia road, with at least three big cats captured on video by tourists and motorists—an unprecedented occurrence in this region. Local residents confirm that tigers have never been spotted on the Mayodia road before.
However, following a major forest fire that engulfed Mayodia hill and surrounding forested areas on January 16, the first tiger was sighted by a tourist on January 18. The video quickly went viral on social media, drawing widespread attention. Since then, numerous motorists traveling through the area have encountered and filmed the tigers, with footage clearly showing at least three big cats roaming or resting near the roadside.
Wildlife experts suspect that these tigers have been displaced from the Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary, a 281-square-kilometer sanctuary renowned for its diverse wildlife population, including tigers and the elusive clouded leopards. The forest fire appears to have driven these apex predators from their natural habitat, forcing them into closer proximity with human populations.
Broader Implications
The rarity of fatal human-tiger encounters in Arunachal Pradesh has significantly amplified concerns about the escalating human-wildlife conflict in wildlife corridors. This tragic series of events underscores the urgent need for effective wildlife management strategies and public awareness to prevent further incidents and protect both human lives and endangered species.
