Pilibhit: A group of tourists had a narrow escape after a tiger pounced on their safari vehicle at the the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday.
Preliminary reports suggest that the driver moved a bit too close to the animal for the tourists to get a better view. This may have infuriated the tiger that sprang upon the vehicle. Luckily, there were no injuries.
There were children among the tourists, officials said. The incident happened on the first day of the newly inaugurated 2025-26 ecotourism season at the reserve.
According to forest officials, the the tiger emerged from the undergrowth with a loud roar and leapt toward the vehicle. The driver reacted instantly and sped forward, preventing any injuries.
Though no one inside the vehicle was hurt, there was considerable panic. Foresters said that it can be extremely traumatizing to come face to face with a charging tiger.
The video has gone viral on social media, highlighting the need for additional caution when moving among wild animals.
Experts have said that tigers may get aggressive at this time of the year as this is the ideal season for them to mate. While tigers may mate throughout the year, the peak season is November-April when it is cooler.
A few days ago, the video of a tigress charging at vehicles, including two-wheelers on a road just outside the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra emerged. It was reported that the tigress, named K-Mark, had cubs nearby.
The Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, spread across the Terai landscape, is home to more than 120 tigers, along with 128 species of animals and 326 species of birds. The reserve has witnessed several incidents of human-wildlife conflict over the years. Official data show that 64 people have lost their lives in tiger-related incidents in the last nine years.
The Uttar Pradesh Forest Ministry formally opened the new safari season on November 1, even as conservationists and legal experts voiced concern over the expansion of safari routes deeper into core forest zones.
Forest officials have ordered an inquiry into the incident. “Tourist and animal safety are our top priorities. We are reviewing safety protocols to ensure such close encounters do not recur,” an official said.
The incident also underlines the importance of proper training for drivers and guides. Recently, a driver left a group of tourists stranded inside the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve after his vehicle broke down. The terrified tourists were rescued by forest officials after dark.
