Woman Found Dead in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, Suspected Big Cat Attack
A mutilated body of a 65-year-old woman, allegedly killed in a big cat attack, was discovered inside Bagha forest beat under Mahof forest range in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) around 7:30 AM on Wednesday. Forest personnel have not yet identified whether the feline was a tiger or a leopard, complicating the investigation.
Details of the Incident
Officials reported that Parul Rai, a resident of Mahof Colony village, left her house around 3 PM on Tuesday to collect firewood from the adjacent buffer area of the reserve. When she did not return, family members alerted forest authorities, who launched a search operation. However, dense fog in the evening severely hampered rescue efforts, delaying the discovery of her body until the next morning.
Neuria SHO Subhash Mawi visited the site on Wednesday morning and arranged for the body to be sent for postmortem examination. Divisional Forest Officer of PTR, Manish Singh, noted that pugmarks of the feline could not be traced due to a thick layer of fallen leaves on the forest floor. "There were no drag marks on the deceased's body, which negated villagers' claim that the woman was dragged into the forest by the animal," Singh stated, suggesting the attack may have occurred at the location where the body was found.
Investigation and Safety Measures
In response to the incident, forest officials have installed four camera traps in the surrounding area to identify the feline responsible. "We have installed four camera traps in the surrounding area to identify the feline. Field forest teams have also been deployed to monitor its movement and conduct surveillance," said DFO Manish Singh. He emphasized that despite repeated appeals from the department advising villagers to avoid entering the forest, violations of the tiger reserve's rules continue to occur.
Singh clarified that since the fatal conflict occurred inside the forest area, the matter is not liable to be referred to the state government for compensation. He highlighted that entering these areas is a punishable offence under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, underscoring the legal risks involved.
Context and Background
Mahof Colony village is situated near the interface between PTR's Mahof forest range and Surai forest range of Uttarakhand's Terai East forest division. The area lacks essential security measures, including chain-link fencing, which may contribute to such incidents. This was the first fatal man-animal conflict reported in the district this year, marking a concerning start to wildlife interactions in the region.
In comparison, last year saw as many as seven people reportedly killed in tiger attacks, with the last fatal attack occurring in July in Baithra Mandaria village, approximately 10-12 kilometers from PTR. This historical context highlights ongoing challenges in managing human-wildlife conflicts in the area, despite conservation efforts and warnings from authorities.
Forest officials continue to urge villagers to adhere to safety protocols and avoid venturing into restricted zones to prevent future tragedies. The investigation remains ongoing as teams work to identify the specific animal involved and assess broader safety measures for the community.
