Mentally Ill Man Infiltrates Nagpur Zoo's Tiger Habitat, Raising Alarm

In a startling incident that has raised serious concerns about security at Nagpur's Maharajbagh Zoo, a 25-year-old man was discovered inside the tiger enclosure's feeding cubicle on the morning of Thursday, July 31st.

According to the zoo authorities, the man, later identified as Karan Somkuwar, had managed to scale the zoo's 18-foot-high chain-link fence and cross the first line of defense early that morning. One of the security guards had spotted him at that time, forcing him to flee. However, Somkuwar later returned and was found loitering inside the premises around 7:30 AM by the sanitation workers.

Fortunately, Somkuwar was unable to cross the second layer of protection, a barricade of thick iron rods with a covered top, which prevents direct entry into the animal enclosures. The inner cage housing the tiger was also locked at the time, preventing any direct confrontation.

The incident has highlighted glaring lapses in the zoo's security measures, with the authorities emphasizing the need for more watchmen and possibly armed guards to enhance the safety of both the animals and the visitors. Preliminary investigations suggest that Somkuwar, who appears to be mentally ill, had been missing from his home for a few days before the incident.

While the man escaped unharmed, the breach has raised serious questions about the zoo's ability to protect its prized assets and ensure the safety of its visitors. The authorities have vowed to review and strengthen the security protocols to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.