A tragic case of human–wildlife conflict has emerged from Nepal’s Madhesh Province, where a 55-year-old man was discovered dead after what authorities believe was a fatal tiger attack. Even more shocking, the victim’s head was missing when his body was recovered, fuelling fear among local residents.
According to reports, the victim, identified as Krishna Prasad Sharma, had ventured into the forest on 27 August to collect cattle fodder. When he failed to return home, his family raised the alarm, prompting police and locals to conduct a search. Sharma’s body was eventually found in the mountains, but his head was nowhere to be seen. Investigators suspect that the tiger may have bitten it off and carried it away.
The case highlights the growing risks of human–tiger encounters in Nepal, a country that has made international headlines for its successful tiger conservation efforts. While the revival of the Bengal tiger population has been praised globally, it has also led to a sharp rise in attacks on villagers who live close to forests.
Tiger Numbers on the Rise, Human Casualties Increasing
Back in 2010, Nepal had only 121 Bengal tigers left in the wild. But through tough anti-poaching measures, expansion of national parks, and the creation of cross-border wildlife corridors with India, the tiger population more than doubled, reaching 355 by 2022. Conservation groups celebrated this as a rare success story in global wildlife protection.
However, with the recovery of tiger numbers came an increase in human casualties. Between 2019 and 2023, at least 40 people were killed and another 15 injured in tiger attacks across Nepal. Experts caution that the true numbers may be higher, as not all cases are officially reported. Alarmingly, the trend shows no signs of slowing down.
This has left local communities struggling to balance the benefits of conservation with their own safety. Farmers and villagers who rely on nearby forests for grazing and fodder collection are often those most at risk.
Calls for Balance Between Conservation and Human Safety
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has stressed that while the world must continue to prevent the extinction of Bengal tigers, human lives cannot be overlooked. It has urged Nepal’s authorities to create effective management strategies that reduce conflict and protect both people and wildlife.
Possible measures include improved fencing around high-risk areas, compensation schemes for victims’ families, and stricter zoning to separate human settlements from tiger habitats. Without such action, experts warn that tragic incidents like Sharma’s death will keep repeating, undermining both conservation efforts and public trust.
For Singapore readers, this case serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between conservation success and human safety—an issue that resonates globally, from elephant encounters in Asia to crocodile sightings in Australia.