A safari in Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan, turned scary for 20 tourists when they were left stranded in the middle of the jungle. Their canter (safari vehicle) broke down mid-route. The guide accompanying them went to fetch another, but did not return for a long time. Here’s what happened.
20 Tourists Stranded In Ranthambore National Park
Safaris are a way to encounter wild animals in their natural habitat. Considered an adventurous experience, this time a safari turned scary for a group of 20 people. As per a report by The New Indian Express, 20 tourists were stranded in Ranthambore National Park on Saturday. Their canter (safari vehicle) had broken down inside Zone 6. The guide who was accompanying them left them in the middle of the jungle to retrieve another vehicle.
The incident happened around 6 pm. Tourists also claimed that the guide misbehaved with them and never returned, leaving them stranded in the jungle from 6 pm to 7:30 pm. With darkness falling, the group, which also included children, panicked and waited anxiously before being rescued.
Also Read: From Forts To Tigers, How To Spend 48 Hours Of Adventure & Culture In Ranthambore
Tourists Stranded In Kundal Zone
As per the same report, canter number 2171 was allotted for the evening safari in Zone 6 (Kundal Zone). It is an area where tigers like Badal, Noor, and tigress Laxmi are frequently sighted. One of the tourists requested help from another canter driver but was asked for extra money. He later managed to get a lift in a gypsy to reach the Rajbagh Naka forest post and inform officials. Following this, a replacement canter was sent to rescue the anxious tourists around 7:30 pm.
Ranthambore Tiger Reserve’s Field Director and Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Anoop K.R. shared with NDTV that the safety of tourists is their top priority. He also stated that further action will be taken against drivers or guides who violate rules and show negligence. They have now banned the entry of three canter drivers found guilty, and also the accused guide, Mukesh Bairwa, inside the Ranthambore National Park.
The Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan is said to be home to over 60 tigers and also has leopards, sloth bears, and marsh crocodiles. A canter is a 20-seater open bus that operates in safari zones to explore wildlife closely.
Also Read: At Ranthambore National Park, 25 Out Of 75 Tigers Are Missing Since 2023; Investigation Underway
This negligence by the guides and drivers had put the lives of 20 tourists at risk. Fortunately, they all were rescued in time.
Cover Image Courtesy: Unsplash/ UPASANA SAIGAL (Representative Image)
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