Title: Young Male Tiger from Navegon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve Tragically Killed in Road Accident, Ignites Calls for Improved Safety Measures
In a devastating turn of events for the Navegon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR), a young male tiger lost its life in a tragic road accident near Murdoli village in the reserve’s buffer zone. The tiger, a descendant of NNTR’s T-14 tigress, was crossing the Kohmara-Gondia state highway (NH753) when it was struck by a speeding car on Thursday night.
This unfortunate incident marks the fourth tiger death in road collisions in the region within the span of a year, shedding light on the urgent need for effective mitigation measures along this stretch of the highway.
The collision occurred around 9:30 pm when Sanjay Ghasne and Hivraj Raut, field coordinators from the wildlife NGO TRACT, Nagpur, witnessed the horrifying accident. They were following closely behind the car (MH35-AR-9397) that directly hit the tiger, leaving it severely injured. The volunteers promptly alerted the forest officials in Goregaon.
Notably, the car’s occupants were fortunate to escape with their lives, thanks to the airbags that deployed upon impact. However, the considerable damage to the vehicle’s bumper served as a somber reminder of the force of the collision.
Efforts to locate the injured tiger were underway for hours within compartment no. 419 of Palewada, but unfortunately, the search yielded no results until early morning. Eventually, the wounded tiger was found sitting near a nearby watercourse, barely 100 meters from the accident site.
The tiger’s injuries were severe, hindering its ability to stand. The rapid rescue team from NNTR tranquilized the animal with the intention of transferring it to the Gorewada Rescue Centre in Nagpur. Tragically, the tiger succumbed to its injuries en route, near Kohmara.
Postmortem examination revealed devastating injuries to the tiger’s left and right shoulders, indicating the high velocity at which the collision occurred. It is crucial to note that this particular sub-adult tiger was a resident of the area.
Gondia’s deputy conservator of forest (DyCF), Pramod Panchbhai, confirmed that an investigation would be conducted, and an initial offense would be registered. However, it remains uncertain whether the driver responsible for the accident will face arrest.
According to the recent All-India Tiger Estimation (AITE-2022), the 656 square kilometer NNTR is home to 11 tigers. To boost the declining population, plans are underway to translocate five tigresses, two of which have already been released into the reserve. A young male tiger, such as the one tragically lost, can father up to a dozen cubs, underscoring the significance of their conservation.
Sawan Bahekar, an honorary wildlife warden, expressed grief over the cub’s untimely death. He emphasized that efforts had been made in the past to address the issue of safety along this particular stretch of the forested road. This region has witnessed several incidents where herbivores have fallen victim to accidents. Travelers have repeatedly reported close encounters with tigers, and sadly, their concerns have now materialized. Bahekar stressed the urgent need for the immediate installation of signages, display boards, speed breakers, and rumble strips until comprehensive mitigation measures can be implemented.
DyCF Panchbhai assured that necessary steps would be taken following discussions with district authorities and road agency officials. He emphasized the importance of similar mitigation measures between Gondia and Deori, acknowledging the need to prioritize the safety of both wildlife and commuters.
The loss of yet another tiger due to a road accident highlights the pressing need for enhanced measures to protect the precious inhabitants of the Navegon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve. As efforts continue to revive the tiger population, it is vital that authorities prioritize implementing comprehensive safety measures to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.
