Killer instincts of a tigers
India has around 1700 tigers residing in different parts of the country. Due to the killer instincts of a tiger, they are often portrayed as scary maneaters. As a statistical fact, tigers have killed the maximum number of humans than other member of the cat family like lions or leopards. It is true that Tigers are carnivores, which is a good reason for them to feed on humans. However, their natural diet doesn’t include Homo sapiens. Now the question that arises is, why would they go against their nature and natural diet, only to be called ‘The Hunter’?
There are probably various theories and reasons as to why a tiger turns into a man-eater. Although, one of the main reasons is because of the loss of their natural habitat. Due to an increase in the human settlement the natural forest has reduced. Thus, tigers have no other options than to invade villages and hunt people. Maybe, it is a way for them to react against human actions. After injury or wounds and due to aging, it turns towards humans. During this time, tigers become incapable of chasing and hunting their natural prey due to their decreased physical agility. Humans become easy targets for a wounded tiger, as they are comparatively easy to chase and catch.
Man-Eating Tigers
Every tiger has its own story, like any other human. The female tiger of Champawat district which killed around 436 humans had broken canines thus the killer instincts of a tiger diverted her to kill humans and not the meat that she would prefer. Most cases of a tiger attack on humans are due to mistaken as their natural prey. Hence, it becomes an easy target. After natural calamities, the human corpses which are not buried become a reason for tigers developing the taste of human flesh. This trend has mostly recorded in the Sunderbans region.
The concerned forest authorities or the wildlife conservation authorities take appropriate measures to catch the man-eating tiger. However whether to kill the man-eating tiger or capture it in a cage, has always been an issue of debate. It is easy to kill a tiger with a gunshot, rather than tranquilizing it. The feeding and raising of a captive tiger are also rather expensive. These may be easy options for the authorities but does this give us the right to decide whether a tiger should live or not?
After all, it is as much a part of the natural environment as humans and helps maintain the balance of nature.
Sharad Vats brings over three decades of rich safari experience across the Indian wilderness, leading a passionate team dedicated to delivering seamless and memorable wildlife journeys. With deep knowledge of jungle logistics—ranging from flora and fauna to experienced guides and skilled jeep drivers—he ensures that every safari is thoughtfully curated and effortlessly executed, offering guests an immersive and almost ethereal experience in the wild.
Over the years, Sharad has also spent extensive time assisting guests, curating personalized tours, and leading wildlife expeditions, combining operational excellence with a deep understanding of guest expectations.
Beyond tourism, he is an active contributor to the wildlife ecosystem. His initiatives include planting and maintaining thousands of trees, creating safe passages and corridors for tigers, and establishing solar-powered waterholes across Kanha and other national parks. He is equally committed to community development, supporting and adopting schools in nearby villages, reflecting a holistic approach to conservation and sustainable tourism.
