A violent mob in Assam´s Golaghat district killed a Royal Bengal tiger with macheres after the animal allegedly attacked livestock. Authorities say around 1,000 villagers gathered and chased the tiger after it strayed into farmland and killed multiple domestic animals.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as villagers surrounded the animal and struck it repeatedly causing deep wounds that ultimately proved fatal. Forest officer Gunadeep Das confirmed the tiger died from sharp weapon injuries not gunshots and an autopsy is underway.
The crowd allegedly dismembered the carcass removing sections of its skin, legs, and face before officials reached the scene. Das noted that the tiger was not tranquilized because forest personnel could not reach the area before villagers attacked it.
The tiger´s presence near human settlements caused panic with residents fearing for their lives after repeated livestock killings. Another official Sonali Ghosh stated the tiger’s origin is unknown but the site lies 20 km from Kaziranga National Park.
Kaziranga, home to many endangered species often sees animals wander into villages due to shrinking habitat and blocked corridors. India’s Wildlife Protection Act Prohibits killing tigers and forest officials have registered a case to identify and prosecute attackers.
As per 2019 data Assam´s tiger population increased from 70 in 2006 to 190. Experts blame habitat destruction and lack of ecological corridors between reserves for the rising tensions between humans and tigers.
