A Decade Since the Delhi Zoo Tragedy

Ten years have now passed since the shocking and heartbreaking incident at Delhi Zoo, where a 20-year-old man named Masqood lost his life in a brutal attack by a massive white tiger.

The tragedy unfolded when Masqood made the fateful decision to cross the safety barrier meant to keep visitors at a distance from the animals. In doing so, he lost his balance and slipped, falling directly into the tiger’s enclosure—a mistake that would cost him his life.

Although Delhi Zoo guards had repeatedly warned him of the danger, Masqood’s curiosity and desire to see the majestic jungle cat up close led him into a perilous situation. One tragic misstep sent him tumbling into the dry moat of the white tiger’s den.

Once inside, Masqood desperately tried to shield himself from the predator. Disturbing footage of the event shows him pressed tightly against the wall of the enclosure, mere inches away from the enormous tiger named Vijay. In a desperate attempt to save himself, he frantically waved his arms in front of his face, as though trying to plead with the 200-kilogram beast to show mercy.

The tense standoff lasted for several agonizing minutes. As the animal grew more agitated, it suddenly lunged forward. Vijay clamped his powerful jaws around Masqood’s neck and dragged him toward the back of the enclosure. Witnesses later described the horrifying scene, saying the young man suffered immense pain for at least 15 minutes before succumbing to his injuries.

A bystander named Himanshu recalled to the media how helpless the crowd felt as they watched the tragedy unfold. Another witness, Bittu, explained that he and other visitors threw stones at the tiger in desperation, hoping to divert its attention long enough for Masqood to escape. Sadly, their frantic efforts made no difference.

Zoo officials later admitted that there was little they could have done in that moment. They lacked tranquilizers, wireless radios, and the necessary tools to mount an immediate rescue. Powerless, both authorities and horrified onlookers could only watch as the young man was overpowered and, at last, stopped moving.

Masqood’s body remained in the enclosure for hours afterward. Zoo staff struggled to coax the tiger into a smaller holding area so that they could safely recover the remains.

In the aftermath, grief weighed heavily on his family. His mother, Ishrat, gave a heart-wrenching statement to the press:

“He left home at 8 in the morning after I told him to go to work. He said he would return in the evening. The next thing we heard was that he was in the hospital.”

The police registered the case as a death caused by negligence against unidentified persons, leaving many questions unanswered about whether more safety measures could have prevented the young man’s tragic fate.