A routine wildlife management operation turned tragic in Gujarat's Amreli district on Tuesday, resulting in the death of a forest department tracker. The incident occurred during an attempt to tranquilize a lioness that had strayed into a human settlement.
The Fatal Mishap During the Operation
The event unfolded in the Liliya village of Amreli district. Forest department officials had been tracking a lioness that had entered the village area, posing a potential threat to residents. A team was assembled to capture the big cat using a tranquilizer gun, a standard procedure in such situations.
During the operation, a tranquilizer dart was fired towards the lioness. However, in a devastating turn of events, the dart missed its intended target and struck a member of the forest team, identified as Bharat Chudasma, a 35-year-old tracker. Chudasma was part of the team actively involved in locating and managing the lioness.
Immediate Aftermath and Medical Response
After being hit by the dart, Bharat Chudasma immediately fell unconscious. He was rushed to a government hospital in the nearby town of Jafrabad for emergency medical care. Despite the efforts of doctors, his condition deteriorated.
Given the seriousness of his state, he was referred to a larger hospital in Rajula for advanced treatment. Tragically, the tracker succumbed to his injuries, marking a profound loss for the forest department and his community. The exact cause of death is linked to the powerful tranquilizing drugs administered via the dart.
Official Response and Investigation
Forest department authorities have confirmed the tragic incident. An official statement acknowledged that the tracker lost his life after the tranquilizer dart accidentally hit him. The department has initiated a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to this fatal error.
This incident has cast a spotlight on the risks faced by frontline forest staff who routinely engage in dangerous wildlife management operations. It raises critical questions about operational protocols and safety measures during tranquilization drives, especially in proximity to human habitats.
The death of Bharat Chudasma is a sobering reminder of the perils inherent in wildlife conservation work. The forest department is expected to review its standard operating procedures to prevent such tragedies in the future, even as the community mourns the loss of a dedicated individual.
