SYSTEM FAILURE OR NEGLIGENCE? A routine morning shift turned into an absolute nightmare at Jaipur’s famous Nahargarh Biological Park on Wednesday. A 42-year-old female worker, Sugna Devi, lost her life after being mauled by a male tiger named ‘Shivaji’.
The horrifying incident took place around 9:00 AM when a group of women workers entered enclosure number 16 to clear wild grass. Preliminary reports indicate that severe human negligence led to the tiger’s cage door being opened while the maintenance crew was still working inside.
A Harrowing Escape Attempt: “The Tiger Pulled Her Down From the Fence”
SYSTEM FAILURE OR NEGLIGENCE? According to eyewitneses, seven female laborers had gone inside the big cat’s enclosure to chop and collect grass. At the time they stepped inside, the apex predator was locked safely inside its holding cage. However, within seconds of their entry, the cage gate was inadvertently unlocked and opened by an on-duty staff member.
The sudden release of the big cat triggered immediate panic. Realizing the extreme danger, five women bolted toward the safety exits, while another worker scrambled up a nearby tree to stay out of reach.
Sugna Devi attempted to climb the high perimeter wire fence to escape the charging animal. Her elder sister, Kamla Devi, who was part of the group, recounted the terrifying sequence:
We were cutting and clearing grass when suddenly someone unlocked the cage door. The tiger charged directly at us. We ran for our lives. Sugna tried desperately to scale the enclosure fence to jump across, but the tiger pounced on her, pulled her down, and killed her right before our eyes.”
The victim suffered fatal injuries, mainly around her neck and torso. Her body remained stranded inside the enclosure for nearly three hours as authorities scrambled to control and tranquilize the tiger before safely retrieving her remains around noon.
Fury in the Village: Sole Breadwinner Leaves Behind Disabled Husband and Two Children
SYSTEM FAILURE OR NEGLIGENCE? News of Sugna Devi’s death spread quickly to her home village of Nangal Susawatan in the Jamwaramgarh region. Within hours, hundreds of angry villagers, led by local representatives including former Saiewad Sarpanch Rajendra Bunkar, marched to the gates of Nahargarh Biological Park.
The grieving family and protestors staged an intense sit-in demonstration right outside the facility, demanding immediate legal action against negligent park officials along with ₹1 crore in financial compensation.
The tragic loss has crippled the victim’s family emotionally and financially:
Family Condition: Sugna Devi had been working as a maintenance and sanitation hand at the park for nearly eight years.
Dependents: Her husband is disabled and unable to work due to a past injury, making Sugna the sole breadwinner for him and their two children.
The tense standoff lasted until 3:00 PM, ending only after forest department authorities, local police, and Amer MLA Prashant Sharma held extensive negotiations with the family and agreed to an emergency assistance package.
Departmental Action: Forest Guard Suspended, Inquiry Commission Launched
In response to the severe lapse in safety protocol, the Forest Department took immediate disciplinary measures.
Staff Suspension: Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Ashish Vyas confirmed that forest guard Hansa, who was in charge of managing the enclosure gates, has been suspended on charges of grave duty negligence.
Official Probe: An Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) level officer has been tasked with heading a thorough factual investigation. Investigators are currently auditing CCTV footage, recording witness statements, and reviewing security logbooks to pinpoint exact protocol violations.
Compensatory Package Agreed Upon: Forest officials agreed to grant ₹10 lakh in direct financial assistance, allotment of a local dairy booth, and contractual job placement within the department for family members.
About Nahargarh Biological Park: A Unique Wildlife Hub
Spread over the scenic Aravalli foothills, Nahargarh Biological Park holds a unique distinction in India’s wildlife infrastructure. It is the country’s only facility that integrates a full-fledged Rescue Centre, a Safari Park, and a Zoo all within the same complex.
The park currently houses 15 tigers, including two rare white tigers. Younger, active big cats are typically kept in spacious, secure biological enclosures covering a 1-kilometer perimeter. Standard operating procedure dictates that big cats must be securely locked away in indoor holding shelters before any maintenance staff enters the open enclosures, a life-saving rule that failed catastrophically on Wednesday morning.
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