Watch: Tourists scream in panic as tiger suddenly leaps close to safari jeep in Ranthambore
A group of tourists got much more than they bargained for. They did not just get to see a tiger while on a safari in Ranthambore National Park, but came so close to be able to sniff each other.
They panicked and screamed in fear as a fully grown tiger suddenly leaped very close to them on a wall.
A group of tourists in Ranthambore National Park were screaming in panic when a tiger jumped all of a sudden in front of them. The moment was captured in a video and has gone viral on social media as it triggered a discussion about appropriate behavior of the tourists on safaris.
The video clip was shared by Ranthambore National Park on their Instagram account and it begins with the group of tourists waiting at the side of a road with a stone wall between them and the forest. Without warning, the fully-grown large tiger suddenly leaps onto the wall, catching the tourists off guard.
The tiger looks around, directly gazing at the tourists for sometime, before calmly continuing its stroll along the wall, much to the relief of the panicked tourists.
“Close Tiger Sighting at Ranthambhore National Park. Feel the pulse of the jungle as you traverse its hidden paths, where the grandeur of Ranthambore’s wildlife unfolds before your eyes,” reads the caption of the post, which has clocked over 7 lakh views so far with over 18000 likes.
Watch the video here:
Social media users were quick to share their thoughts in the comments. Several users praised the thrilling encounter, with comments like “What a thriller,” “Beautiful,” and “An orange cat moment.”
However, some of the comments was critical of the tourists’ reaction, particularly the screaming heard as the tiger approached. Several users also emphasized the importance of maintaining composure during such encounters.
“Zoo is animal abuse, caged, torture, should not be supported, national park jungle safari is always a good option,” a user said.
Another user added, “So disappointed in humanity. While the excitement is understandable, a de-brief should be compulsory by the naturalist at the gates on forest appropriate behaviour,” another user said.
Social media users highlighted the need for more awareness and education on wildlife tourism.
Vicky, a tour guide operator at Ranthambore National Park, said, “The incident occurred at the outer part of the National Park before the tourists’ safari could even begin.”
“Clear instructions were provided to the tourists to avoid shouting and screaming, as such actions could provoke the tiger to approach them or their vehicles. However, I understand that for someone who is not accustomed to seeing tigers up close, like myself, who has had frequent encounters, it’s natural to lose composure. For a first-time viewer, especially at such close proximity, the screams are involuntary,” he added.
This incident reminded us of the uncertainty and unpredictability of wild animals in their natural habitats. The opportunity of being so close to a majestic beast like a tiger is definitely exciting but it is crucial for tourists to remember that they are trespassing in the animals’ territory which may not be always welcomed by them.
Proper guidelines and a clear understanding of how to behave around wild animals are essential to ensure both human and animal safety.
