Bardiya, December 22
A bus knock killed an adult Royal Bengal tiger at the Karnali-Amreni stretch along the East-West Highway on Wednesday evening.
The tiger died on the spot when a bus numbered Na 4 Kha 2887 hit it at the Bardiya National Park area. The bus was heading to Kathmandu from Attariya of Kailali district.
Quoting the bus driver, warden at the park, Ramesh Thapa, said the tiger was chasing a leopard when the accident occurred. While the leopard managed to cross the road, the tiger could not, Thapa quoted the driver as saying.
Warden Thapa said they have impounded the bus and taken the driver under control for investigation.
As per last year’s wildlife census, there are 56 adult tigers at the park. In the current fiscal, this is the first tiger casulaty in the park, Thapa said. He, however, added that 25 boar, percupine and antelopes have already died so far this fiscal.
Factfile
- This is the first tiger casulaty at the Bardiya National Park for the current fiscal
- According to the bus driver, the tiger was chasing a leopard
- While the leopard managed to cross the road, the tiger could not
- Park authorities have taken the driver under control and impounded the bus for a probe
