What Happened When a Man Approached Tiger Cubs at Ranthambore National Park?

Jaipur, May 17 (NationPress) A First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged following the emergence of a video depicting a man in dangerously close proximity to tiger cubs at Ranthambore National Park, located near Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan, as confirmed by officials.

The unverified video, which has not been dated, features the individual entering a large water pipe where the cubs were taking shelter, engaging with them and recording the encounter on his mobile device, according to official statements made on Friday.

Park authorities revealed that the incident transpired near the Devpura Dam within the Phalodi Range, where a tigress known as T-2302 had recently given birth to three cubs inside the pipe.

The FIR has been filed under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, referencing various sections including Section 27, which restricts entry into a sanctuary; Section 50, concerning powers of entry, search, arrest, and detention; along with Section 51, which outlines penalties for infractions.

Ranthambore Divisional Forest Officer, Ramanand Bhakar, stated that an investigation is currently in progress to identify the individual involved and ascertain the method he used to access this sensitive area.

The identity of the man remains undisclosed.

Tigers are classified as a protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act, and Project Tiger, initiated in 1973, stands as India's premier conservation initiative aimed at safeguarding tigers and their habitats.

Ranthambore National Park, home to approximately 80 tigers, serves as one of the crucial reserves under this campaign.

Wildlife conservation advocates have deemed the incident a serious failure in park security and management.

“How could an individual access a critical tiger habitat that is intended to be completely secure? If the forest department was aware of the cubs' presence, shouldn’t they have increased vigilance and installed camera traps?” they questioned.

“Ranthambore is, regrettably, garnering attention for the wrong reasons. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) must take stringent notice of this and ensure adherence to its guidelines,” they added.

Footage showing a local resident touching a newborn tiger cub—belonging to tigress T-2302—inside a concrete pipe in the Daulda–Devpura Dam area of the Phalaudi Range within Ranthambore National Park emerged on Thursday, raising substantial concerns regarding ongoing deficiencies in wildlife oversight at the reserve.

This shocking event represents the latest in a series of security and surveillance oversights at the park, which has faced scrutiny for inadequate monitoring of its tiger population and the forest department's failure to mitigate human-animal conflict.

In the preceding month, both a forest ranger and a seven-year-old child tragically lost their lives in separate incidents within the reserve.

Reports have also surfaced of tigers charging at individuals who encroached upon their territory.

According to forest sources, tigress T-2302 was recently observed taking refuge inside a concrete pipe near the Devpura Dam along with her three newborn cubs.

It was reported that the local resident spotted the tigress and her cubs, entered the pipe, and not only captured images and videos on his mobile phone but also made physical contact with one of the cubs.

“He entered the pipe, managed to photograph the cubs with his mobile device, and even petted one,” stated a source familiar with the situation.