Couple Killed in Tiger Attack in Bihar, India (Updated)
This past week an unidentified wild tiger in the Eastern Indian state of Bihar attacked three local farmers. Two of the victims, Khiria Devi and Aklu Mahato, were fatally injured by the cat, while a third victim remains in critical condition. The tiger ambushed the trio as they were heading to their elevated guard post above their crops.
These deaths bring the tally of recent fatal tiger attacks in Bihar to five, prompting officials to increase efforts on human-tiger conflict reduction. Forest officials are filing for permission to capture the tiger and should receive an approval within the next few days.
UPDATE (02/19/21):
The tiger suspected to have killed at least three people in Bihar has died. Senior forest department officials announced the tiger was around 13 years of age and had sustained serious injuries which prevented her from hunting. This is likely what led the tigress to pursue humans rather than traditional prey. The Valmiki Tiger Reserve director confirmed it was not anyone’s intention to kill the cat, stating, “We tranquilized the tigress when she came out of a sugarcane field to drink water. She was sent to the Patna zoo for better care and treatment.” Ultimately, the tigress was unable to overcome the complications and passed away shortly after arrival at the Patna zoo.
