Guest guest Posted December 23, 2007 Report Share Posted December 23, 2007 Incidentally I visited the Guwahati Zoo on the same day when this grisly incident took place. Attached is the first person account of the wife of the gentleman who was killed. Although the man did take a very bold step to put his hands through the railings to get a good shot of a tiger, he was quite unlucky since he did not notice there was another tiger hidden beneath the wall of the tiger enclosure in front of him. The incident is doubly tragic since he was a wildlife lover and a keen photographer. http://www.telegraphindia.com/section/frontpage/index.jsp Friday , December 21 , 2007 Husband in jaws of death - Guwahati tiger victim was wildlife lover, says wife Govardana on Thursday. (Eastern Projections) *Rupa Bezbaruah, the wife of Jayprakash Bezbaruah who was killed by two tigers at the Guwahati zoo on Wednesday, describes her horror.* My husband had visited the zoo nearly 40 times, such was his passion for animals and wildlife. And every time, he would find something new to explore and see. When we entered the zoo on Wednesday afternoon, the sight before us was magnificent — the long tree-lined road leading to a hillock, dead straight from the main entrance, the rows of animal enclosures in the distance and the large number of people going up and down the road. I could see the happiness on his face. My two (school-going) sons were excited beyond words. Little did we realise at that moment that my husband was walking straight into the jaws of death — a veteran of the zoo was entering unknown territory for the first time. An avid photographer who took pride in his creativity with the lens, my husband was dying to shoot the tigers. Although he had clicked the tigers on previous trips, he was always looking for the perfect pose, the best angle. No wonder, we were heading towards the tiger enclosures very soon. My husband was the first to move up the hillock where the main tiger enclosure is located, followed by our elder son Angshuman. I was already tiring because of the long walk and had fallen back a little. In the haze of a December afternoon, the view was slightly surreal as I watched my husband walk up the incline, the camera ready in his hands. The next few moments were a blur, the events taking place as if at breakneck speed. One moment I could see him moving towards the enclosure to get closer to the tigers. The next, he had stepped back as he heard the shouts of warning from some of the other visitors. But immediately, he was back to where he was, close to the railings of the enclosure, the outstretched hands holding the camera. And then the moment arrived. I could hear a tiger's roar and a cry of pain. Then came shouts of panic from the other visitors and, drowning them all, the fear-stricken cries of " Ma, ma! " from our elder son. There, before me, was the most terrifying sight of my life — my husband trying to free his arm from the jaws of two tigers and Angshuman trying to help, pulling at the belt of his father's trousers. I felt dizzy at the sight of blood, my husband's blood. I wish no other wife ever has to face such a ghastly sight. I can't even say what happened next. It was the worst that could happen to anyone. We rushed him to hospital but there was little the doctors could do. In an instant, our world had turned upside down. A pleasure trip to Guwahati had turned into a nightmare. My husband's first concern had always been the happiness of our two sons, Angshuman and Arunav. Whenever he had the time and opportunity, he would take them out on brief trips to places children love to go to. This was one such trip. Since our sons' school had closed after the annual exams, he had promised them a tour of Guwahati. We were scheduled to return to our home in Sivasagar today (Thursday). We are returning, but he is just a lifeless body. My husband loved animals, especially wild animals. No one would have imagined, least of all him, that he would give his life to one in a cage. AS TOLD TO OUR CORRESPONDENT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 23, 2007 Report Share Posted December 23, 2007 Following the incident on 21st December` 2007, an informal discussion was held at the Guwahati Press Club premises where I tried to highlight some serious faults and areas where the lens men need to improve upon so that such an incident can be averted. Many a times I have noticed that even professional still photographers to get that 'One shot' and television cam guys to get that 'One roar' of the Big cats cross the boundaries that they shouldn't. Some of those present included Mr. Rituraj Konwar of The Hindu, Laal Singh of The Times of India, Anupam Nath of AP, Biju Boru of Asomiya Pratidin, Pranjal Baruah of Eastern Projections, Peter Alex of ANI and the following local media photographers: Rebo Das, Manoj Deka, Manas Pran and few others. The photographers admitted that there was much to be understood from the unfortunate incident where this man had to loose his life to a captive tiger out of sheer carelessness. In the past many have admitted that they risked such attempts with other animals as well. Like last year when the Zoo celebrated the birthday of the Stump tailed Macaque, a lens man gave his Digital SLR camera to the primate in the cage and another camera clicked the primate curiously imitating the pose of a cameraman. The photograph was published in many newspapers. Also sometime back former Forest Minister of Assam, Mr. Pradyut Bordoloi was seen playing/ posing with a bear that was adopted by another minister of the state. In many occasions when a leopard is being captured (both during the capture/ pre-tranquilisation and after) the camera persons normally seem to go pretty excited and come on the way of the forest personnels making it extremely difficult for them to carry out their task. Some of the young lens men have even confessed to the fact that many a times even they put across their hand on the tiger enclosure unaware of the dangers both to the animal and themselves. The good thing that has come out from this incident is that it has gone to a great extent in sensitizing the photographers (both professional and amateur). Well, with this incident I do hope some caution certainly shall be practiced by the photographers in future. Sadly though a day after the incident local television news channel showed how people were still feeding other animals and touching them, like the one horned rhinoceroses, giraffe, deer etc in the Assam State Zoo, unaware or rather least bothered. Maybe some wish to learn the harder way. Azam On Dec 23, 2007 11:00 AM, wrote: > Incidentally I visited the Guwahati Zoo on the same day when this grisly > incident took place. Attached is the first person account of the wife of > the > gentleman who was killed. Although the man did take a very bold step to > put > his hands through the railings to get a good shot of a tiger, he was quite > unlucky since he did not notice there was another tiger hidden beneath the > wall of the tiger enclosure in front of him. The incident is doubly tragic > since he was a wildlife lover and a keen photographer. > http://www.telegraphindia.com/section/frontpage/index.jsp > Friday , December 21 , 2007 > Husband in jaws of death > - Guwahati tiger victim was wildlife lover, says wife Govardana on > Thursday. (Eastern Projections) > > *Rupa Bezbaruah, the wife of Jayprakash Bezbaruah who was killed by two > tigers at the Guwahati zoo on Wednesday, describes her horror.* > > My husband had visited the zoo nearly 40 times, such was his passion for > animals and wildlife. And every time, he would find something new to > explore > and see. > > When we entered the zoo on Wednesday afternoon, the sight before us was > magnificent — the long tree-lined road leading to a hillock, dead straight > from the main entrance, the rows of animal enclosures in the distance and > the large number of people going up and down the road. > > I could see the happiness on his face. My two (school-going) sons were > excited beyond words. > > Little did we realise at that moment that my husband was walking straight > into the jaws of death — a veteran of the zoo was entering unknown > territory > for the first time. > > An avid photographer who took pride in his creativity with the lens, my > husband was dying to shoot the tigers. Although he had clicked the tigers > on > previous trips, he was always looking for the perfect pose, the best > angle. > No wonder, we were heading towards the tiger enclosures very soon. > > My husband was the first to move up the hillock where the main tiger > enclosure is located, followed by our elder son Angshuman. I was already > tiring because of the long walk and had fallen back a little. > > In the haze of a December afternoon, the view was slightly surreal as I > watched my husband walk up the incline, the camera ready in his hands. > > The next few moments were a blur, the events taking place as if at > breakneck > speed. One moment I could see him moving towards the enclosure to get > closer > to the tigers. The next, he had stepped back as he heard the shouts of > warning from some of the other visitors. > > But immediately, he was back to where he was, close to the railings of the > enclosure, the outstretched hands holding the camera. And then the moment > arrived. > > I could hear a tiger's roar and a cry of pain. Then came shouts of panic > from the other visitors and, drowning them all, the fear-stricken cries of > " Ma, ma! " from our elder son. > > There, before me, was the most terrifying sight of my life — my husband > trying to free his arm from the jaws of two tigers and Angshuman trying to > help, pulling at the belt of his father's trousers. > > I felt dizzy at the sight of blood, my husband's blood. I wish no other > wife > ever has to face such a ghastly sight. I can't even say what happened > next. > It was the worst that could happen to anyone. > > We rushed him to hospital but there was little the doctors could do. In an > instant, our world had turned upside down. A pleasure trip to Guwahati had > turned into a nightmare. > > My husband's first concern had always been the happiness of our two sons, > Angshuman and Arunav. Whenever he had the time and opportunity, he would > take them out on brief trips to places children love to go to. This was > one > such trip. Since our sons' school had closed after the annual exams, he > had > promised them a tour of Guwahati. > > We were scheduled to return to our home in Sivasagar today (Thursday). We > are returning, but he is just a lifeless body. > > My husband loved animals, especially wild animals. No one would have > imagined, least of all him, that he would give his life to one in a cage. > AS TOLD TO OUR CORRESPONDENT > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 23, 2007 Report Share Posted December 23, 2007 Hi Subhobroto, I guess that the zoo should have good protection for visitors in place, has anyone sued them for what happened? Edwin aapn [aapn ] On Behalf Of Sunday, 23 December, 2007 12:30 aapn Guwahati Zoo killing Incidentally I visited the Guwahati Zoo on the same day when this grisly incident took place. Attached is the first person account of the wife of the gentleman who was killed. Although the man did take a very bold step to put his hands through the railings to get a good shot of a tiger, he was quite unlucky since he did not notice there was another tiger hidden beneath the wall of the tiger enclosure in front of him. The incident is doubly tragic since he was a wildlife lover and a keen photographer. http://www.telegraphindia.com/section/frontpage/index.jsp Friday , December 21 , 2007 Husband in jaws of death - Guwahati tiger victim was wildlife lover, says wife Govardana on Thursday. (Eastern Projections) *Rupa Bezbaruah, the wife of Jayprakash Bezbaruah who was killed by two tigers at the Guwahati zoo on Wednesday, describes her horror.* My husband had visited the zoo nearly 40 times, such was his passion for animals and wildlife. And every time, he would find something new to explore and see. When we entered the zoo on Wednesday afternoon, the sight before us was magnificent - the long tree-lined road leading to a hillock, dead straight from the main entrance, the rows of animal enclosures in the distance and the large number of people going up and down the road. I could see the happiness on his face. My two (school-going) sons were excited beyond words. Little did we realise at that moment that my husband was walking straight into the jaws of death - a veteran of the zoo was entering unknown territory for the first time. An avid photographer who took pride in his creativity with the lens, my husband was dying to shoot the tigers. Although he had clicked the tigers on previous trips, he was always looking for the perfect pose, the best angle. No wonder, we were heading towards the tiger enclosures very soon. My husband was the first to move up the hillock where the main tiger enclosure is located, followed by our elder son Angshuman. I was already tiring because of the long walk and had fallen back a little. In the haze of a December afternoon, the view was slightly surreal as I watched my husband walk up the incline, the camera ready in his hands. The next few moments were a blur, the events taking place as if at breakneck speed. One moment I could see him moving towards the enclosure to get closer to the tigers. The next, he had stepped back as he heard the shouts of warning from some of the other visitors. But immediately, he was back to where he was, close to the railings of the enclosure, the outstretched hands holding the camera. And then the moment arrived. I could hear a tiger's roar and a cry of pain. Then came shouts of panic from the other visitors and, drowning them all, the fear-stricken cries of " Ma, ma! " from our elder son. There, before me, was the most terrifying sight of my life - my husband trying to free his arm from the jaws of two tigers and Angshuman trying to help, pulling at the belt of his father's trousers. I felt dizzy at the sight of blood, my husband's blood. I wish no other wife ever has to face such a ghastly sight. I can't even say what happened next. It was the worst that could happen to anyone. We rushed him to hospital but there was little the doctors could do. In an instant, our world had turned upside down. A pleasure trip to Guwahati had turned into a nightmare. My husband's first concern had always been the happiness of our two sons, Angshuman and Arunav. Whenever he had the time and opportunity, he would take them out on brief trips to places children love to go to. This was one such trip. Since our sons' school had closed after the annual exams, he had promised them a tour of Guwahati. We were scheduled to return to our home in Sivasagar today (Thursday). We are returning, but he is just a lifeless body. My husband loved animals, especially wild animals. No one would have imagined, least of all him, that he would give his life to one in a cage. AS TOLD TO OUR CORRESPONDENT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 24, 2007 Report Share Posted December 24, 2007 Dear Edwin, No, no one has sued the zoo because the man's family has not blamed anyone in the zoo for his death. They have accepted that the man took a step that was dangerous, ie., crossing the barrier and inserting his hand inside the enclosure. Regarding security and safety in zoos, Azam has raised some very relevant points. You may find it strange but I do not believe that security and safety in an average well maintained zoo is a matter of concern. Normally, both the visitors and the animals are safe unless someone gets too close to an animal or an animal escapes. The security as I have seen at Guwahati Zoo seems quite all right. I do not suppose that it is possible for a zoo to monitor each and every activity of its visitors. The visitors have their good commonsense to guide them along. In my opinion a zoo should not resemble a high security prison since that would in itself defeat the whole purpose of having such an establishment in the first place. However Azam is right when he says that professional photographers take risks under temptation to take good photographs. As he aptly mentions, maybe this incident will deter them and make them rethink their moves. Public behaviour does however leave a lot to be desired. Teasing and irritating animals is a norm in Indian zoos. The answer to this is better education rather than more security. But again I emphasise that in the recent case, the zoo was not to blame and in fact the man would have been able to get away from the tiger he was shooting had there not been a second tiger lurking nearby. Best wishes, On 12/23/07, Edwin Wiek <edwin.wiek wrote: > > Hi Subhobroto, > > I guess that the zoo should have good protection for visitors in place, > has > anyone sued them for what happened? > > Edwin > > > aapn <aapn%40> [ > aapn <aapn%40>] On Behalf Of > > Sunday, 23 December, 2007 12:30 > aapn <aapn%40> > Guwahati Zoo killing > > Incidentally I visited the Guwahati Zoo on the same day when this grisly > incident took place. Attached is the first person account of the wife of > the > gentleman who was killed. Although the man did take a very bold step to > put > his hands through the railings to get a good shot of a tiger, he was quite > unlucky since he did not notice there was another tiger hidden beneath the > wall of the tiger enclosure in front of him. The incident is doubly tragic > > since he was a wildlife lover and a keen photographer. > http://www.telegraphindia.com/section/frontpage/index.jsp > Friday , December 21 , 2007 > Husband in jaws of death > - Guwahati tiger victim was wildlife lover, says wife Govardana on > Thursday. (Eastern Projections) > > *Rupa Bezbaruah, the wife of Jayprakash Bezbaruah who was killed by two > tigers at the Guwahati zoo on Wednesday, describes her horror.* > > My husband had visited the zoo nearly 40 times, such was his passion for > animals and wildlife. And every time, he would find something new to > explore > and see. > > When we entered the zoo on Wednesday afternoon, the sight before us was > magnificent - the long tree-lined road leading to a hillock, dead straight > from the main entrance, the rows of animal enclosures in the distance and > the large number of people going up and down the road. > > I could see the happiness on his face. My two (school-going) sons were > excited beyond words. > > Little did we realise at that moment that my husband was walking straight > into the jaws of death - a veteran of the zoo was entering unknown > territory > for the first time. > > An avid photographer who took pride in his creativity with the lens, my > husband was dying to shoot the tigers. Although he had clicked the tigers > on > previous trips, he was always looking for the perfect pose, the best > angle. > No wonder, we were heading towards the tiger enclosures very soon. > > My husband was the first to move up the hillock where the main tiger > enclosure is located, followed by our elder son Angshuman. I was already > tiring because of the long walk and had fallen back a little. > > In the haze of a December afternoon, the view was slightly surreal as I > watched my husband walk up the incline, the camera ready in his hands. > > The next few moments were a blur, the events taking place as if at > breakneck > speed. One moment I could see him moving towards the enclosure to get > closer > to the tigers. The next, he had stepped back as he heard the shouts of > warning from some of the other visitors. > > But immediately, he was back to where he was, close to the railings of the > enclosure, the outstretched hands holding the camera. And then the moment > arrived. > > I could hear a tiger's roar and a cry of pain. Then came shouts of panic > from the other visitors and, drowning them all, the fear-stricken cries of > " Ma, ma! " from our elder son. > > There, before me, was the most terrifying sight of my life - my husband > trying to free his arm from the jaws of two tigers and Angshuman trying to > help, pulling at the belt of his father's trousers. > > I felt dizzy at the sight of blood, my husband's blood. I wish no other > wife > ever has to face such a ghastly sight. I can't even say what happened > next. > It was the worst that could happen to anyone. > > We rushed him to hospital but there was little the doctors could do. In an > instant, our world had turned upside down. A pleasure trip to Guwahati had > > turned into a nightmare. > > My husband's first concern had always been the happiness of our two sons, > Angshuman and Arunav. Whenever he had the time and opportunity, he would > take them out on brief trips to places children love to go to. This was > one > such trip. Since our sons' school had closed after the annual exams, he > had > promised them a tour of Guwahati. > > We were scheduled to return to our home in Sivasagar today (Thursday). We > are returning, but he is just a lifeless body. > > My husband loved animals, especially wild animals. No one would have > imagined, least of all him, that he would give his life to one in a cage. > AS TOLD TO OUR CORRESPONDENT > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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