Man-eating tiger that had already claimed one victim shot dead by wildlife inspector

A inspector has shot dead a man-eating tiger that was about to launch a potentially deadly attack on him.

The same beast three weeks ago savaged a local politician and forester, ripping off his arm, wounding his head and devouring his internal organs. Andrey Kovera, 55, was killed after he was brutally mauled by the male big cat, and had no chance to escape. In the latest case, the inspector “had to defend himself” as - the largest big cat in the - prepared to attack him, said reports. The inspector had been tailing the man-eating tiger aiming to capture the predator alive.

The slaying of the big cat comes amid increasing attacks on humans by Amur - or Siberian - tigers in the Russian Far East, where they are endemic. has sought to boost numbers of the tigers after they faced extinction during the Soviet era due to excessive hunting.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

A new video from Khabarovsk region shows a well-fed tiger walking through the — yet despite the increase, there are likely no more than 540 of the Siberian tigers living in the wild. But the rising numbers has led to an increase in attacks on humans, farm animals and pets, leading to panic in some remote villages which feel under siege from the predators.

The Udege Legend National Park in Primorsky region said the slain tiger had been wounded, preventing it from hunting, and leading it to attack people. “Visual examination of the carcass of the shot tiger confirmed the presence of lifetime wounds, which are uncharacteristic of injuries sustained during hunting or conflicts with [other big cats].

“We believe that the wounds were the cause of the attack on people, which led to the tragic death of a man, and the death of the tiger itself.” The carcass is to be examined by experts.

Kovera’s son Konstantin said: “My father worked as a forester for many years and knew how to behave when meeting a predator. But the tiger attacked him from behind.”

Kovera and an assistant had gone into the forest in remote Primorsky region when he was ambushed. His colleague came out of the forest, and reported the attack.

A search was launched which found Kovera’s remains. Kovera was described as a well-respected former local politician in the far east of .

According to the Zoological Society of London, there are estimated to be as few as 265 to 486 Amur tigers remaining in the Russian far east. The big cats, known for their distinctive orange and black stripes, are believed to be among the largest and heaviest of the world's big cats and can reach up to 250kg (39.3st) and some three metres (9ft 8ins) in length.