Fatal mauling in enclosure 16 at Nahargarh Biological Park
Jaipur — A woman was killed by a tiger at the Nahargarh Biological Park early on Wednesday, officials reported, triggering panic among staff and nearby villagers and prompting local protests demanding accountability.
Forest department personnel said the animal involved was the tiger Shivaji. The victim has been identified as Sugna Devi. According to eyewitness accounts and official statements, six to seven women had entered enclosure number 16 to cut grass the previous day and returned the next morning to collect more when the tiger entered the area and attacked.
- Location: Nahargarh Biological Park, enclosure number 16
- Animal: Tiger named Shivaji
- Victim: Sugna Devi, female worker
- Number of women present: six to seven (as reported by eyewitnesses)
Eyewitnesses reported that when the tiger entered the enclosure, the other women fled to safety — some climbed the fence and others scaled nearby trees — while Shivaji attacked and fatally mauled Sugna Devi. The attack was discovered when a park employee, identified as Hansa, opened the enclosure not knowing the women were inside, sources said.
Delay in alerting authorities due to network issues
Forest officials said mobile network problems in the area delayed immediate communication with field teams. Once alerted, a forest team reached the site, tranquillised and controlled the tiger, and recovered the victim's body, officials reported. The women who had escaped to the fence and trees were brought to safety without reported physical injuries.
Local residents, alarmed and grieving, staged protests outside the biological park following the incident. Authorities including Deputy Conservator of Forests Ashish Vyas, a police officer identified as Piyush, and local MLA Prashant Sharma met with villagers to address concerns and defuse tensions.
"Swift action will be taken against any negligent staff," said Deputy Conservator of Forests Ashish Vyas, according to official reports.
Compensation and relief under discussion
Officials said the government would be asked to provide financial assistance to the victim's family. They also reported that the possibility of offering a contractual zoo caretaker job to the deceased woman's children was being considered. Talks between the forest department, police and the MLA on compensation and support measures are ongoing.
Villagers demanded that CCTV footage from the park be reviewed as part of the probe into how the incident happened and whether protocols were followed at the time the women entered the enclosure.
| Timeline | Reported detail |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Women entered enclosure 16 to cut grass |
| Wednesday morning | Women returned to collect more grass; tiger entered enclosure and attacked |
| Post-attack | Forest team tranquillised tiger, recovered body; survivors brought to safety |
The Nahargarh Biological Park, located on the periphery of Jaipur and known for housing captive wildlife, has strict protocols for staff and villagers working near enclosures. The park's administration and forest department have a responsibility to ensure secure boundaries, functioning surveillance and clear communication channels to prevent human–animal conflict, experts say.
Residents emphasised the victim was the primary earner for her family and pointed out that her husband is recovering from severe burns suffered in an earlier electrocution, heightening community anger over the loss. They urged authorities to provide adequate compensation swiftly and to hold any negligent employees accountable.
Investigations into the precise sequence of events, staff actions and operational safeguards at the park are expected to continue. The forest department and police said they will examine CCTV footage, staff records and enclosure management procedures as part of their enquiries.
This incident underscores ongoing tensions at the interface of human settlements and wildlife facilities around Jaipur, where livelihood activities and animal conservation intersect. The outcome of the inquiry and any administrative measures will be closely watched by local communities and conservation stakeholders.
