The Nilgai, or “Blue Bull” is the largest species of Asian Antelope and is native to the Indian subcontinent. Mainly living on a diet of woody plants in the dry tropical forests of India, the Nilgai has been the focus of recent human-animal conflict in Bihar.
Local officials were ordered to cull Nilgai by shooting them with rifles, to deter populations from decimating farmers’ crops, and they reported in a recent article killing as many as 300 in four hours. However, outrage was sparked after shocking footage emerged of such officials burying one defenceless Nilgai alive using a JCB. The animal had been shot and could not move to avoid it’s gruesome fate.
Watch shocking footage here:
This cruel incident was brought to our attention by our Indian member organisation FIAPO, who have worked for years against Nilgai culls. In response, AfA has authored a letter to the relevant authorities, signed by 195 animal welfare organisations from around the world, to oppose this needless cruelty. Our letter points out that this incident is indicative of the normal responses to farmer-wildlife conflict and shows ineffective methods of population deterrence.
You can read our letter in full HERE