The tiger, blamed for weeks of fear and livestock attacks, was brutally mutilated—prompting outrage from conservationists and a criminal probe by authorities.
BY PC Bureau
May 22 — A Royal Bengal Tiger, which had reportedly terrorized residents for several weeks, was brutally killed by a mob in Dusutimukh village under the Bokakhat subdivision of Assam’s Golaghat district on Thursday. The adult male tiger was found hiding in a paddy field before being surrounded and attacked by dozens of villagers armed with sticks and sharp tools.
The gruesome act, which resulted in the removal of the animal’s skin, teeth, ears, and legs, has drawn widespread condemnation from conservationists and forest officials alike, reigniting urgent concerns over the growing human-wildlife conflict in the region.
A Tragic End to a Brewing Tension
Local residents claim the tiger had strayed into the village weeks ago from nearby forested areas, likely from the Kaziranga National Park or the Nambor-Doigrung Wildlife Sanctuary — both rich tiger habitats. The predator had allegedly attacked livestock and was increasingly being spotted near human settlements, creating an atmosphere of fear and desperation.
Despite multiple complaints to the forest department, villagers allege that no concrete steps were taken to either trap or tranquilize the animal.
A tiger was slaughtered today in Golaghat, Assam — its body mutilated and skinned in broad daylight.
This is a national shame.@assamforest has said nothing. Not a word.This is not just failure — it’s complicity #TigerKilling #Assam #WildlifeCrime #SaveOurTigers #JusticeForTiger pic.twitter.com/TmM1X31yrl— Chandrani Sinha (@chandranisinha1) May 22, 2025
“We were living in constant fear,” said a villager who witnessed the attack. “Children stopped going to school, people avoided the fields. When the tiger was found again yesterday, the villagers decided they had to act.”
Forest Officials Condemn Killing
The Assam Forest Department confirmed the recovery of the mutilated carcass and has registered a formal case under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Officials stated that the killing was not only a grave legal violation but a blow to the region’s conservation efforts.
“This is a serious offence. The Royal Bengal Tiger is a Schedule I species, and its killing is punishable with a prison term and heavy fines,” said a senior forest official. “We are working with the police to identify everyone involved.”
Late Thursday evening, police confirmed the arrest of one individual believed to have taken part in the killing and mutilation of the animal. More arrests are expected in the coming days.
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Conservationists Alarmed
Conservationists and wildlife NGOs have expressed deep concern over the killing, warning that such incidents threaten the fragile coexistence between humans and wildlife in buffer zones near protected areas.
“This killing is symptomatic of a larger crisis,” said a wildlife biologist familiar with the region. “Encroachment, habitat loss, and poor crisis response are forcing animals into conflict with humans — and often, it’s the animal that pays the price.”
The Royal Bengal Tiger, classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, is legally protected in India. Assam, home to a significant tiger population, has seen both commendable conservation success and increasing reports of human-animal conflict.
A Call for Better Mitigation and Response
Wildlife experts have called for improved rapid-response teams, greater sensitization of rural communities, and better coordination between law enforcement and forest officials to prevent such tragedies.
“In cases like this, inaction breeds panic and ultimately, retaliation. The forest department must strengthen its crisis protocols and engage with local communities before fear leads to irreversible damage,” said a member of a local conservation NGO.
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As investigations continue, the killing of the Dusutimukh tiger is likely to become a rallying point for renewed discussions on ethical wildlife management and the responsibilities of both authorities and the public in preserving India’s natural heritage.
Background: Assam’s Human-Wildlife Conflict
Assam, particularly regions bordering Kaziranga and other sanctuaries, has long grappled with human-wildlife conflict. Increasing population pressures, illegal encroachments into forest lands, and infrastructure development have fragmented habitats. Wild elephants, leopards, and tigers often venture into villages in search of food or territory, leading to conflicts, casualties, and retaliatory killings.
The state has seen over a dozen major incidents in the past decade involving the deaths of either animals or humans — a stark indicator of the urgent need for robust conflict mitigation frameworks.
