The Arizona sentinel., 1886-07-03
DANGERS OF THE JUNGLE.
Terrible Loss of Life From Beast
 and Reptile.


 The accounts published from time tC time by the government of India, show ing the loss of life occasioned annually by snake-bites and the ravages of wilC animals, still bear witness to a terribl, mortality attributable to these scourges and, we might add, afford clear proot that the present exertious of the govern ment of India are inadequate for the purpose, The latest returns tell the truly awful tale, that in the year 18S; upwards of twenty-two thousand lives were lost from the above-mentioned causes. Nor can the returns rendered by district officers be considered a. altogether complete or satisfactory; fol owing to the apathy of the natives O. India and the almost universal beliet among them of the "'decreeS of fate, , many cases of snake-bite are never re ported, and altogether escape the notice of the authorities.
 Then, again, it should be remembered that the government returns which give the number of deaths attributable tc snakes and wild beasts, only include cases in British India leaving altogether Unrecorded the mortality from the same causes in large independent states, such as Jeypore, Gwalior, Rewah, and many others. Moreover, the British system of keeping down wild beasts and noxious reptiles, does not obtain in these large tracts of territory under independent RajahS. There, natives are not encour- aged by rewards to make the destruc- tion of tigers, partners, and others of the felid9-as also cobras and other deadly snakes-a genuine pursuit and means of gaining livelihood. Thus it comes to pass that in out-of-the-way parts, away from British jurisdiction, the loss of life from the above mentioned causes shows little or no diminu- tion, but remains very much as in the days of old.
 Among the wild animals figuring in the list as destructive to human life, the tiger naturally holds prominent place; the deaths of no fewer than. nine hun- dred and eighty@ive human beings are laid to his charge; and yet the animal, ii left unmOlested and not provoked in any way, will seldom attack human beings. The truth is, tigers, as 6 rule, are towards, only too willing to slink away on the approach of man. In former years, when tigers were much more common than they are nowadays, man-eaters were by no means rare. It was in those times nothing uncommon to hear of high-roads stopped, large tracts of country left uncultivated, vil- lages deserted, and permitted to fall to ruin, owing to the ravages of these dreadful creatures. Now, however, man-eaters have been nearly extermi- mated; occasionally one is heard of; but almost invariably his evil deeds attract the attention of the civil officer of the district, and an organized expedition is sent in search of the marauder, and eventually the animal is killed, either by the rifle of an English sportsman, or by the matchlock of some local shikaree. How, then, it will naturally be asked, if man-eaters are so rare, does it come to pass that nearly thousand unfortunate creatures lost their lives ill single year by tigers? In the first place, although man-eating tigers are now fortunately rare, yet there can be no doubt that the tiger, when suddenly come upon in his lair, or met accident ally face to face when on the move, will, on the spur of the moment--more from fear, probably, than anything else strike down any one barring his way, and pass swiftly on. Casualties of this kind often occur in wooded parts of the country. A tigress with young is es- pec:ally dangerous, and will often furiously attack any one approaching the spot where the cubs are. Again, cattle keepers or goCGlI0S, as they are termed in Bengal, often lose their lives by courageously exposing themselves when endeavoring to rescue some one of their charges from the clutches of the destroyer. At such times the tiger is especially dangerous. He has probably tasted blood, and often will not surren- der his prey without a struggle. Should body of men keeping close together approach him as he croaGi;es growing behind the bullock he hus dragged to the ground, he will sometimes slowly and reluctantly beat a retreat; but often rendered furious by shower of sticks and stones cast at him, and by the shouts of his daring assaiiants, he charges out with flashing eye and a roar of rage, and strikes down one or more of his as- sailants.
 4 prevalent cause of death occasioned by snake-bites, etc., is the almost univ ersal habit among the poorer class of natives of travelling by night during the hot weather months. It is exceptional to meet with a cobra during the day time; but after sunset reptiles sally forth in search of food. A native. generally speaking, walks barefOoted, or wears only low shoe, which affords no pro- lection to the ankle or leg. In the dark ness, he treads upon or touches some deadly snake, is immediately bitten, and probably before daylight, lies corpse by the roadside. The same reckless custom of passing after sunset through jungles inhabited by all kinds of wild beasts, is, though in less degree, a con- stant source of danger, frequently end ing in death. It has already been re- marked that the tiger, if left unmolest- ed. will seldom interfere with man. but