Escaped Tiger’s Unusual Resting Spot Becomes Local Attraction
A young tigress ventured from the confines of the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, perching on the wall of a gurdwara in Atkona village and drawing a massive crowd. Swiftly responding, forest officials orchestrated a delicate mission to safely return it to the reserve.
By Beth Snider · January 2, 2024
A tiger in Uttar Pradesh’s Pilibhit district managed to captivate the attention of an entire village as it found an unconventional resting spot on the wall of a gurdwara in Atkona village. The incident which occurred in the early morning hours, led to a massive crowd gathering to witness the unusual sight. Local authorities, including forest officials and the police, swiftly responded to ensure the safety of both the residents and the tiger.
The tiger, a young female approximately 2-3 years old, had strayed from the confines of the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve and entered Atkona village at around 2 am. The majestic animal chose the compound wall of a gurdwara as its resting spot, oblivious to the growing crowd of curious onlookers. Videos and images of the tiger perched on the wall went viral on social media, receiving widespread attention.
Concerned residents promptly alerted the forest department, initiating a rapid response to handle the situation. Forest officials set up a security cordon using a net to ensure safety. The crowd expanded significantly, including locals and individuals from nearby areas who flocked to witness the rare sighting.
Deputy Director of the Reserve, Naveen Khandelwal, reported that the tranquilization and safe extraction of the tiger from the village were orchestrated through collaborative efforts with the forest department. Subsequently, the tiger has received attentive care from veterinary professionals. The viral sensation has undergone successful radio-collaring and has been reintegrated into the wilderness reserve, all thanks to concerted efforts. This milestone marks a transformative moment for the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, signifying the initiation of the first-ever satellite radio-collaring of a tiger in the region, supported by the technical expertise of the Wildlife Institute of India and close monitoring and facilitation by the National Tiger Conservation Authority.