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LUCKNOW, INDIA — A tiger in India has killed at least seven people, prompting authorities to hire professional hunters to track it. According to a Fox News report, the first victim was a 65-year-old man whose body was discovered on Dec. 29.
Authorities believe that the Bengal tiger, a female, has strayed from its normal territory in northern India’s Jim Corbett National Park. The park is the oldest national park in India and holds a substantial population of tigers.
A hunt has been launched to kill the tigress that has turned into a man-eater. It must still be hungry as it has been running without rest and adequate food.
–- Rupak De, principal chief conservator of forests in Uttar Pradesh
News reports suggest that the tiger is prowling an area that covers roughly 80 miles.
Local authorities have asked that people not go into the forest alone, and thousands of the region's frightened villagers are taking even further precaution by simply staying indoors.
Rupak De, the principal chief conservator of forests in Uttar Pradesh, confirmed that the latest victim had been found on Tuesday. "A hunt has been launched to kill the tigress that has turned into a man-eater," he told the AFP news agency. "It must still be hungry as it has been running without rest and adequate food."
Though the hunters were initially given permission to kill the tiger, it is reported by the Indian Express that protests from animal rights activists have led to a change of plans. Parliament member Meneka Gandhi spoke out repeatedly on the matter, insisting that the tiger should be tranquilized and relocated, rather than killed. According to the Indian Express, De confirmed that the hunters now intend to shoot the tiger with a tranquilizer dart.
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This is not the only recent case of fatal tiger attacks in India. A tiger in the southern state of Tamil Nadu has claimed three victims. Professional hunters have been called in to tranquilize the tiger, though they have been unsuccessful so far.
And last month, three people were killed by a tiger in the southern state of Karnataka. That tiger was successfully captured.
It is believed that there are less than 1,800 wild tigers in India, but as their habitat shrinks they increasingly come in contact with humans.
Grant Olsen joined the KSL.com team in 2012. He covers outdoor adventures, product reviews and other interesting things. You can contact him at grantorrin@gmail.com.
