Using the notes given below, write on the following incidents under the title “The Escape”.
A tiger escape from captivity — central Zoo — two hundred workers hurt — hunt in village and other neighbouring areas — traps set — accidental death of a zoo official — tiger caught — inquiry into escape — deciding who was to blame — punishment to the person found guilty.
The Escape
Hajipur, 15th April
The tiger escaped from the town’s central zoo in the small hours of the evening on the 13th inst. It is a recent accession to the zoo and is jocularly (= by way of fun) named “Corbett” after the celebrated hunter. Naturally it created a stir and commotion (= anxious excitements) among the officials. The panic spread like a wildfire as the tiger went on a rampage (= run in blind rage) through the neighboring village. It is learnt that it mauled about two hundred zoo workers. They were taken unawares as they were homebound after the day’s duty. How the animal managed to cross the moat (= a circular watery obstacle) remains a mystery.
When this reporter reached the spot the authorities were engaged in a close door sitting sorting out the issues that were involved in this accident. He was barred (prevented) access as the meeting was confidential and purely departmental. Obviously a large crowd was milling round (= collecting dispersedly) the zoo. They were talking about some spot in the moat that was cluttered (jammed) by the broken branches of the overhanging trees. The reporter had an impulse to verify, but was prevented as he was summoned to meet the officials.
Luckily the people of the surroundings and nearby villages were mostly indoors and did not fall a prey, although it cannot be ruled out that the animal have made a feast of some stray cattle or goat that fell on its escape route.
As expected the authorities promptly mounted the modus operandi (= the operational mode) to trap the beast. They told us that they cordoned the vulnerable (= weak) corners around the zoo, that are most anticipated to be the tiger’s escape route. They set up a noise syndrome (= a concurrence of noisy sounds) to baffle (= puzzle) the tiger’s wit. By this device the tiger feels cornered from several other sides and becomes, virtually compelled to seek the only noiseless sector where its trap is set.
After nearly two days of fruitless labour, today it has, unwittingly (= without knowing), jumped into its hole-trap.
The zoo authorities have been acclaimed for the prompt action and exactitude (= exact anticipation). But the sensational tale has also a sad sequel. In the process a very capable zoo official has lost his life in an accident related to the incident. He had, in fact, masterminded the whole operation. But he fell a prey to his honest effort to save a child. It happened thus: He was reconnoitering (= gaining knowledge of things) the cordon on his motorbike. Inspite of rigid restrictions some or other person rushed to the place. This official — Mr. Durbari Singh — had veered (turned) round a shrub to negotiate (= go through) an alley that led to the trap. Of a sudden a small boy nearly fell on his wheel and in the confusion his bare head dashed against a tree. He fell unconscious, but succumbed to his injury in the hospital. The workers are receiving treatment for various kinds of injuries. An enquiry has been set up to look into the kind of negligence and the authorities have assured that the responsible persons shall be duly punished. Mr. Singh’s family has been assured of a sum of Rs.100,000/- as recompense for (= equivalent for) the loss and his son is assured a service in the zoo.
