Chandrapur: A 37-year-old shepherd was killed in a tiger attack late Thursday night in the agricultural fields of Fisakuti village under the Pombhurna forest range in the district.The victim, Vasudev Ganpat Kankalwar, a resident of Junasurla village, had camped near Mahakali temple in Fisakuti farmland along with his flock of goats and sheep. According to forest officials, Kankalwar was sleeping close to the herd with his brother and sister-in-law to guard the animals when the tiger struck shortly after midnight.Officials said the predator first attacked the flock, triggering panic among the animals. Awakened by the commotion, Kankalwar attempted to respond but was pounced upon by the tiger. His relatives, who were resting a short distance away, woke up after hearing the disturbance. When he did not return, they began searching and later found his body lying in a pool of blood in a nearby field close to the temple.Forest department personnel and police reached the spot soon after being alerted. A spot inspection was carried out and the body was sent to rural hospital in Mul for postmortem.The incident has triggered alarm in Fisakuti, Virai, Gadisurla, Junasurla and neighbouring villages, where residents have witnessed increased tiger movement. Forest officials said patrols have been stepped up and 10 camera traps have been installed to monitor the animal’s movement. The victim’s family has been provided an immediate relief assistance of ₹50,000.According to official data, eight people have died in wildlife attacks in Chandrapur district so far this year — seven in tiger attacks and one in a leopard attack.
