Guwahati, Dec 23: A 31-year-old man, Ruplal Malo, tragically lost his life on Monday after being attacked by a wild buffalo near 1 No. Dhamkhunda (Kordia), located outside the protected boundaries of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary under the Pragjyotishpur police station in Chandrapur Revenue Circle, Kamrup Metro district.
The incident occurred while Ruplal was working in a paddy field. Witnesses reported that the buffalo, known for previous instances of aggressive behaviour, severely injured him. Locals rushed Ruplal to Sonapur Hospital, where the attending medical officer declared him brought dead.
Following the attack, the buffalo retreated into the sanctuary area. This marks yet another instance of human-wildlife conflict in the region, with the same buffalo reportedly involved in multiple similar incidents in the past.
A forest team, led by Range Officer Pabitora, immediately investigated the situation at the hospital and issued alerts to locals about the movement of dangerous animals near the sanctuary’s periphery. Shibani Pegu, Range Officer of Morigaon Range, along with forest staff, visited the bereaved family to offer condolences.
Ruplal Malo’s body has been sent to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) for a post-mortem examination.
This tragic event highlights the ongoing issue of human-wildlife conflicts in the Pobitora region. The sanctuary, known for its dense population of Indian rhinoceroses, is also home to other wildlife, including wild buffaloes, which occasionally stray into human settlements.
The forest department continues to urge residents near sanctuary areas to remain vigilant and avoid activities in high-risk zones, particularly during the peak hours of wildlife activity. Efforts are underway to mitigate such conflicts through enhanced monitoring, public awareness campaigns, and rapid response teams.
