Forest Guard Killed by Tigress at Ranthambore Raises Alarm Over Live Prey Feeding Practice
Ranthambore, Rajasthan – May 23: A forest guard at Ranthambore Tiger Reserve was killed in a fatal tiger attack near a live prey feeding area, prompting serious questions about the controversial practice of feeding live animals to injured and aging tigers. The incident has sparked a wave of concern across conservation and wildlife protection communities.
Tragedy Near Tourist Spot
Forest Guard Devendra Singh Choudhary lost his life near Jogi Mahal, a popular tourist zone within the reserve, after being attacked by a tigress named “Arrowhead.” The area was close to a locked enclosure where live buffaloes were kept to feed the tigress, who has been under care following a serious hip injury.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing distress calls from the enclosed structure prior to the attack. Arrowhead, who had been displaced from her original territory due to her injuries, had been receiving live prey from forest authorities to aid her survival.
Feeding Practice Under Scrutiny
The practice of feeding live animals to unwell or elderly tigers has been ongoing at Ranthambore for over a year. While intended to support tigers unable to hunt due to age or injury, experts now warn it may be leading to troubling behavioral shifts.
According to forest officials, at least nine tigers in the reserve have become accustomed to this method of feeding. Alarmingly, six tigers were introduced to the practice from a young age. Conservationists fear that such exposure may dull natural hunting instincts and reduce the animals’ fear of humans, especially in a reserve that sees significant tourist activity.
A Fine Line Between Care and Conservation
While some view feeding as an act of compassion, critics argue it can interfere with nature and compromise safety. Similar care was provided to well-known tigresses like “Machhli” and “Sundari” in the past, enabling them to live longer lives. However, wildlife experts caution that such interventions may encourage dangerous dependencies.
“It’s a risky trade-off,” said one senior conservationist. “We’re keeping tigers alive at the cost of their wild nature — and now, possibly at the cost of human lives.”
Ripple Effects in the Reserve
Arrowhead’s feeding began in August 2023 after she withdrew to the Nalghati region due to injury. Since then, her daughter “Riddhi” and another tigress, “Sultana,” have reportedly been drawn to the area in search of easy food. Authorities are now concerned that even cubs in the vicinity could be learning to associate humans with feeding — a development that could increase the risk of human-animal conflict in the future.
Call for Policy Review
The incident has prompted renewed calls for the forest department to review its wildlife management policies. Experts stress that while saving individual animals is important, it should not come at the cost of altering natural behavior or endangering lives.
“This tragic death should serve as a wake-up call,” said a wildlife official. “We need to rethink how we support wild animals without crossing the line into harmful intervention.”
As investigations continue, the forest department has promised a thorough review of its feeding protocols to ensure the safety of both wildlife and frontline staff.
