Nagpur Grapples with Escalating Animal Bite Incidents, Exposing Public Health Vulnerabilities
Nagpur has recorded an alarming average of over three bite cases daily from monkeys, donkeys, and other animals over the past five years, underscoring a burgeoning yet frequently neglected public health issue. Data acquired through a Right to Information (RTI) application reveals that between April 2021 and February 2026, the city witnessed a staggering 6,126 such incidents, with figures climbing sharply each year and peaking in the current financial cycle.
Drivers of the Surge: Human-Animal Conflict Intensifies
Municipal officials attribute this spike to escalating human-animal conflicts, fueled by factors such as open garbage dumps, easy access to food waste, and diminishing natural habitats. Monkeys and stray animals like donkeys are increasingly encroaching into residential zones, often turning aggressive when confronted, exacerbating the risk to residents.
Broader Animal Bite Burden: Dogs Lead in Injuries and Fatalities
The data, obtained by RTI activist Abhay Kolarkar, also highlights a more extensive animal bite burden in Nagpur. Alongside the monkey and donkey bites, the city reported 44,660 dog bite incidents during the same period, resulting in 9,946 injuries and eight rabies deaths, painting a grim picture of urban wildlife management challenges.
Enforcement Gaps: No Action at Sensitive Locations
In response to inquiries about measures against stray animals at critical sites like railway stations and courts, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) admitted that no animals were captured or relocated, pointing to significant enforcement deficiencies despite mounting public safety threats.
Year-by-Year Breakdown: A Consistent Upward Trend
The statistics for monkey and donkey bites demonstrate a persistent surge. Cases rose from 546 in 2021-22 to 794 in 2022-23, then jumped to 1,117 in 2023-24. The upward trajectory continued with 1,431 cases in 2024-25, while the current year has already logged 2,238 cases by February 2026, indicating a worsening scenario.
Animal Birth Control Efforts: Focused Solely on Dogs
The Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme in Nagpur is currently limited to managing stray dog populations. From May 2023 to February 2026, the NMC sterilised 69,389 dogs across centers in Bhandewadi, Gorewada, and Maharajbagh, with nearly equal numbers of males and females. However, public health experts caution that while this may help stabilize dog numbers over time, it fails to address the rising incidents involving monkeys and stray livestock.
Expert Warnings and Calls for Comprehensive Strategy
Health professionals warn that animal bites can lead to severe infections and carry rabies risks if not treated promptly. They advocate for a broader, coordinated animal management approach, including improved waste management, monitoring of monkey populations, and enhanced inter-departmental coordination to mitigate this public health hazard effectively.
Infobox: Key Data Highlights (2021-February 2026)
Bites by Monkeys, Donkeys & Other Animals
- 2021-22: 546 cases
- 2022-23: 794 cases
- 2023-24: 1,117 cases
- 2024-25: 1,431 cases
- 2025-Feb 2026: 2,238 cases
- Total: 6,126 cases
Dog Bite Cases & Injuries
- 2021: 5,800 cases | 1,484 injured
- 2022: 8,317 cases | 2,134 injured
- 2023: 9,110 cases | 1,877 injured
- 2024: 9,429 cases | 1,841 injured
- 2025: 10,944 cases | 2,173 injured
- Jan-Feb 2026: 1,060 cases | 437 injured
- Total: 44,660 cases | 9,946 injured
Animal Birth Control (ABC) – Dog Sterilisation (May 2023-Feb 2026)
- Vets For Animals, Satara (Bhandewadi Centre): Male – 15,194 | Female – 16,394 | Total – 31,588
- Krishna Society For Animals, Pune (Gorewada Centre): Male – 15,619 | Female – 12,782 | Total – 28,401
- Swatantra Animal Welfare Society (Maharajbagh Centre): Male – 4,451 | Female – 4,960 | Total – 9,400
- Overall Total: Male – 35,264 | Female – 34,136 | Grand Total – 69,386
