Daltonganj, Aug 19: The officer-in-charge of Harihurganj police station in Jharkhand’s Palamu district escaped without injuries after a male nilgai suddenly collided with his SUV on a highway, officials said.
Deobrat Poddar was travelling towards Daltonganj on Tuesday to attend a meeting when the animal suddenly came onto the road and struck the vehicle on NH-39.Poddar, who was seated beside the driver, escaped unhurt in the incident.The collision damaged the SUV’s windscreen, door and bonnet, while the nilgai suffered a fractured leg.
Local forest officials said such incidents can occur when wildlife moves across roads, particularly in areas where highways pass through or near animal habitats.Divisional Forest Officer Satyam Kumar said nilgai behaviour can be unpredictable, making sudden encounters on roads difficult for motorists to anticipate.
Nilgai, also known as the blue bull, is a large antelope species found in several parts of India. It is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.The incident has highlighted the risk of wildlife-vehicle collisions on highways and the need for motorists to exercise caution while travelling through areas frequented by wild animals.
