61 



WOUNDED TIGERS, &c— HOW SHOULD THEY 

 BE KILLED ? 



(Read before the Bombay Natural History Society on 10th July, 1894.) 



The occurrence of so many accidents out shikarring this hot season 

 has induced me to write a paper on the above subject, in the hope that 

 it may be of use to those who have little experience of big game 

 shooting in India, and who may find themselves under the necessity 

 of following up a wounded beast on foot. My experience of shooting 

 in India extends over 17 years. I know that there are many of our 

 members whose experience is greater than mine and whose opinions 

 on this subject are entitled to greater weight. To these I would say, 

 please continue the discussion and give us the benefit of your 

 experience. 



My remarks are intended only to apply to wounded tigers, panthers, 

 and bears. On this side of India, it is almost impossible to get the use 

 of an elephant, and nearly all big game shikarries are compelled to. 

 follow up wounded animals on foot. So that, unless one is prepared to 

 shoot without an elephant, no big shooting is obtainable. 



On two occasions — once in Rewah and once in the Hyderabad State — 

 I had the use of an elephant. I never would go out shikarring without 

 one if I could possibly help it. I know nothing grander than follow- 

 ing up a wounded tiger on a good staunch elephant. From a position 

 of perfect safety you are able to behold all the grandeur of the charge 

 of an infuriated tiger, and to have all the fun of the sport without the 

 danger of it, or, to quote the immortal Mr. Jorrocks, " all the spirit 

 of war with only five per cent, of its dangers." To those, therefore, 

 who can obtain an elephant, I say never follow up a wounded beast 

 without getting into the howdah. 



The weapons of the tiger and the panther are not only their teeth. 

 The sharp retractile claws, which they fix into the man attacked, render 

 their victims almost powerless. The blow, too, which the tiger can 

 give with his fore-paws will almost brain a man. A wounded panther, 

 which I lately shot on the top of one of my men, made a large hole 

 with his claws in the man's chest to the lungs. This man was bitten 

 and clawed all over as well and died in a few hours, but the wound in 

 the chest through to the lungs was the worst. This panther never 



