A major scare gripped the Maharajbagh Zoo on Thursday morning when a mentally ill man suddenly jumped into the tiger enclosure, sending shockwaves among zoo authorities and morning visitors. The incident occurred around 7.30 am, when the man named Karan Somkuwar (26), a resident of Prajapati Nagar, Gaddigodam entered the main enclosure that houses two adult tigers. Zoo-keeper Haribhau Tirmale. who was on routine round, noticed the man inside the enclosure and he immediately informed the zoo in-charge Dr Sunil Bavaskar and other staff.

 

The man wandered dangerously close to the tigers, creating a life-threatening situation for himself and raising panic among onlookers. Zoo management wasted no time, informed the Sitabuldi Police and a team rushed to the spot. There were two tigers residing in the enclosure, but luckily, both tigers were in their night shelter, which is a separate area from the main enclosure. Cops pulled out the man from the enclosure and taken into custody. Fortunately, no harm was caused to either the man or the animals during the incident. As per the Sitabuldi Police, contact was established with his brother, who has been informed of the situation.