Video footage showing tourists crowding a tiger as the animal attempted to navigate a forest road in India has sparked outrage on social media.
The accompanying footage, shared this week by Parvenu Kaswan of the Indian Forest Service, shows tourists in safari vehicles shouting in excitement while surrounding the tiger and causing the animal to become wary.
“What [the] tiger must be thinking?” Kaswan stated via X.
Tiger safari somewhere, video via WhatsApp. What tiger must be thinking ?? pic.twitter.com/C0Eia5H62J
— Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) December 5, 2023
The vehicle operators’ actions, which appear to violate tourism and safety standards, inspired several viewers to express their displeasure.
“Such horrible tourism,” one follower wrote.
“How can this be ever permitted?” another asked. “This is absolutely preposterous. Tigers are not for entertainment and they don’t exist to promote tourism. What is being done to stop this?”
NDTV in India reported that the tourists were “making an uneasy situation for the tiger” and described their behavior as “disturbing.”
Wild animals are supposed to be observed from a distance that’s safe for the animals and tourists. Actions that alter a wild animal’s behavior, such as those shown in the video, could be deemed harassment.