Tiger Spotted on Road in Broad Daylight in Maharashtra’s Chandrapur District

Chandrapur, March 17: A tiger was spotted crossing a public road in broad daylight in Maharashtra’s Chandrapur district, triggering panic among motorists and drawing widespread attention after videos of the incident went viral on social media.

The incident occurred on the busy Padmapur–Moharli road, which passes through the buffer zone of the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. According to forest officials, the tiger emerged from the forest and attempted to cross the road while several vehicles were passing through the area.

Eyewitness visuals showed vehicles slowing down as the big cat moved across the road in full view during the daytime, a sight that is both rare and alarming. However, the situation escalated when some people reportedly got down from their vehicles to take photos and videos, coming dangerously close to the animal.

Authorities have since registered a case under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 against those who violated safety norms. Officials clarified that the road is a public route frequently used by villagers and tourists and is not part of the official safari zone, making such encounters possible.

Forest department personnel have reiterated that approaching wild animals or obstructing their movement is both illegal and risky. They have urged commuters to remain inside their vehicles and maintain a safe distance during such sightings.

Chandrapur district, known for its high tiger population and dense forest corridors, has witnessed increasing instances of human-wildlife interaction in recent years. Experts attribute this to habitat overlap and rising tiger numbers in and around protected areas.

Officials have increased patrolling along sensitive routes and appealed to the public to follow wildlife safety guidelines to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of both humans and animals.