Shepherd killed in tiger attack inside Tadoba buffer

Chandrapur: A shepherd, identified as Ramesh Veladi, was killed in tiger attack at Mul forest range in the buffer zone of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) on Thursday morning. This is the 16th human kill — seventh in the TATR buffer — in predator attacks in Chandrapur district this year.
Mul range ofrest officer SJ Bobade informed that five shepherd from Karvan village had taken their cattle to compartment no.767 for grazing when a full-grown tiger killed a cow. As the shepherds raised din to scare it away, the tiger left the kill and ran in the direction of Veladi. Before he could react, the tiger charged at him, broke his neck and sped away.
On getting information, Bobade shifted the body to Mul sub-district hospital for post mortem. Forest department has granted ex gratia aid of Rs 30,000 to the kin of the deceased. “Remaining compensation will be provided after completing formalities,” said Bobade.
Foresters have alerted surrounding villages about the tiger’s presence in the area.