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On March 16, 2026, two forest guards patrolling the Sultanpur buffer zone of Ranthambore National Park had a bad day. With two guards riding their motorbike down a wooded path, just like any other day, they suddenly came face-to-face with RBT2511, the tiger, charging them without any warning given or time to turn around. As the guards leapt from their motorbike and fled straight away, RBT2511 chose not to pursue them, but rather walked up to the motorbike, greatly clawed out the seat area of the motorbike, then returned into the forest. Although this encounter put both guards at risk of injury, the tiger did not injure either of them; however, the memory of this encounter would linger for each of the two forest guards.
The Sultanpur buffer zone of the Ranthambore National Park is home to Tiger RBT2511, an adult male tiger. Adult males are usually territorial animals and may react to a sudden appearance of a motorcycle around a bend by feeling as though they have been ambushed, even though no threat was intended. Wildlife experts believe this incident was more a result of the tiger's shock than it was of its aggression. After the tiger charged, the humans fled, and the tiger expressed its frustration on the motorcycle rather than pursuing the guards. It is critical to understand that when a tiger shows this type of behavior, i.e., attacking an object and then walking away, it is a show of restraint rather than hunger. The guards were fortunate, and ultimately, the tiger's behavior helped to save their lives.
Ranthambore National Park has gained a reputation as a popular safari location; however, the experience that forest guards have of the park is completely different than that of tourists. The park's forest guards typically patrol via motorcycle or on foot during the early mornings or late evenings when tigers are the most active in the wild. They cover expansive areas of dense forests with little protective equipment and with no real barrier between themselves and the wildlife they are patrolling. Unfortunately, this has happened before, too. As recently as May 2025, range officer Devendra Chaudhary died as a result of a tiger attack while on duty within the area of the Jogi Mahal. The dangers faced by these guards every day were brought into clear focus once again with the recent incident of a guard being chased by a tiger this past Monday.
Following the latest Patrol Protocol Review carried out by Forest Rangers in the buffer zone, subsequent to the March 16th incident in Ranthambore National Park, Wildlife Conservationists and Field Experts have consistently and vocally argued against using two-wheelers for patrolling activities within Tiger Zones. Utilising Four Wheel Vehicles enhances the level of safety due to increased visibility for Guards as well as more protection due to the nature of a Four Wheel Vehicle versus a Two Wheel Vehicle. Additionally, a four-wheel vehicle can approach through the Forest at a slower speed, resulting in less chance of spooking Predators. This incident has represented a whole new level of additional evidence to the argument that two-wheeled vehicles should not be utilised for patrolling, and that relying upon luck will never be a sufficient plan for providing safety.
What matters most about this story is that two men returned to their families that night. The tiger incident near Sultanpur in Ranthambore National Park was frightening, quick, and could have had a completely different conclusion. It also highlights the quiet courage of the forest guards that protect India’s wildlife every day, and that these are often done with minimal recognition and little or no equipment.
