IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Dunbar Brander, A.A. | |
| The tiger and the train | |
| 1921 Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society (26): 658-658 | |
About a month ago a curious incident occurred on the G.I.P. main line where it runs through the Satpuras near Asirgarh. Some surface men walking along the permanent-way came on the end of a tiger's tail lying beside the rail. It had obviously been quite recently cut off by a passing train. An inspection of the grass on the adjacent bank showed that some animal had made off with difficulty and a few steps were sufficient to bring part of the tiger into view. The surfacemen considered a closer inspection would be imprudent, although on their way to the nearest village they stoutly maintained themselves that the tiger was dead, and they were thus able to impress on the local Shikari the simplicity of firing a bullet into its carcase and claiming the reward which Government pays for the destruction of tigers. The Shikari and the surfacemen promptly returned to the spot and the former (no doubt with a reduced charge for economy's sake) fired at the tiger, which at once got up and mauled him. While this was taking place a keyman on the G.I.P., who was also present ran in and split the tiger's skull with an axe. The unfortunate Shikari died subsequently of his wounds. The tiger was found to have been struck by a passing train in the hind quarters and badly damaged. As such an occurrence must be very unusual it may be of some interest to the reader of the Journal. It is difficult to conceive how such a cautious and active animal as a tiger could get caught by a train: it might be accounted for by the passing of two trains simultaneously, or again the tiger at the last moment may have thought the other side of the track afforded more cover and security. I have heard of several instances of leopards being killed by trains, but these animals are much less timid of man and all his works than tigers are. |
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