Jaipur, Sep 2 (IANS) A female sanitation worker was killed after she was attacked by a tiger at Nahargarh Biological Park in Jaipur, officials said on Wednesday. The authorities have ordered an inquiry by forest and police officials into possible lapses in safety protocols.

The incident took place near Enclosure No 16, where the woman was carrying out routine cleaning and maintenance work. The tiger involved in the incident has been identified as ‘Shivaji’.

According to preliminary information, the tiger suddenly attacked the worker while she was cleaning near the enclosure. Other employees rushed to the location after hearing her screams. However, the woman sustained fatal injuries and could not be saved.

Following the incident, Chief Wildlife Warden Arun Prasad, Deputy Conservator of Forests Ashish Vyas, Assistant Conservators of Forests Jitendra Singh Shekhawat and Gaurav Kumar, along with Amer SHO Rajendra Godara, reached Nahargarh Biological Park.

The officials inspected the site and gathered preliminary information regarding the incident. Forest Department and park authorities have initiated an investigation to establish the exact sequence of events.

Police took possession of the deceased worker’s body and sent it to the mortuary. Her family was informed about the incident.

The incident has raised questions about compliance with safety protocols during cleaning and maintenance activities around dangerous-animal enclosures.

As part of the investigation, authorities are examining whether the required Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were followed before the worker entered the area. Reports suggesting that the enclosure or access gate may not have been properly secured are also being examined.

Officials will determine whether there was any negligence or violation of established safety procedures and fix responsibility accordingly.

Nahargarh Biological Park is a major wildlife attraction near Jaipur and receives visitors from Rajasthan, other parts of India and abroad.

In view of the incident, authorities are reviewing safety arrangements and operational procedures within the park, particularly those governing maintenance work around tiger and other dangerous-animal enclosures.

The administrative inquiry will examine the circumstances of the incident and recommend appropriate measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

–IANS

arc/skp