Fatal mishap: Gir tracker killed by tranquiliser dart meant for lioness

A 28-year-old forest department tracker died after being accidentally struck by a tranquiliser dart meant for a lioness during a rescue operation near Visavadar in Gujarat’s Gir region, in what officials described as an unprecedented incident.

The incident occurred in Nani Monpari village under the Visavadar range. Forest officials were attempting to capture a lioness that had earlier attacked and killed a four-year-old migrant child, Shivam, while he was playing in a farm field. Following the fatal attack, a rescue team was summoned from Sasan to sedate and capture the animal to prevent further incidents. 

The lioness involved in the fatal attack was successfully captured later the same night.

Dart misses lioness, hits tracker in crop field

According to forest department officials, the lioness was hiding in a tuver (pigeon pea) crop field when a veterinary doctor fired a tranquiliser dart. The dart missed the animal and instead struck tracker Ashrafbhai Chauhan in the left arm. Chauhan was positioned behind the lioness at the time of the operation.

The dart contained a heavy dose of anaesthetic calibrated for a wild animal. Chauhan, a resident of Rajpara village and a long-time forest department worker, was immediately taken to Visavadar hospital and later referred to Junagadh for advanced treatment.

Despite intensive medical intervention, he died around 7 am on Tuesday.

Officials rush to hospital, no antidote available

Senior forest officials, including the Range Forest Officer (RFO), Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF), Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) and Conservator of Forests (CF), rushed to the hospital after the incident. Officials assured Chauhan’s family of all possible assistance and said every effort had been made to save his life.

Forest department officials said private medical experts were consulted and extensive guidance was sought. However, doctors reportedly found no effective antidote for the wildlife anaesthetic administered to a human.

Why the sedative proved fatal

Officials explained that tranquiliser dosages are calculated based on an animal’s weight and physical condition. While an average adult human weighs around 70–80 kg, a lioness can weigh more than 200 kg, making the dose extremely dangerous for a person.

Forest officials said that while medicines are available to revive sedated wild animals, there is no established reversal treatment when such drugs accidentally enter the human body.

Inquiry ordered into possible negligence

Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife Circle) Dr Ramratan Nala said that two types of drugs were used during the operation, one of which is strictly meant for wildlife. He said an inquiry committee would be formed to determine whether there was any negligence on the part of the veterinary doctor who fired the tranquiliser gun.

First such incident in Gir, safety protocols questioned

Forest department sources said the incident is the first of its kind in Gir’s history. It has raised serious questions about safety protocols, positioning of staff and risk management during wildlife rescue and tranquilisation operations in the region.