The Mysterious Queen

The latest from India:

For the last six weeks, those living in India’s northeast states have been looking over their shoulders whenever they venture outside: Since Dec. 29, a tigress has killed 10 people, eluding determined hunters at every step of its murderous spree.

The 440-pound cat’s latest victim was a 50-year-old man mauled to death Sunday while gathering firewood in Uttarakhand state, in the country’s northeast corner. “The animal ate parts of the man’s leg and abdomen before being scared away by shovel-wielding villagers,” reports the Associated Press.

The day before, hunters cornered the big cat, which has been given the name Mysterious Queen. But it was not enticed by a trap baited with a live cow.

In the six weeks since killing its first victim—a 21-year-old man who was to be married the following day—the tigress’ trail of death has stretched nearly 80 miles, with attacks coming at intervals of between two and 16 days.

Officials believe the predator wandered from its home in the Corbett Tiger Preserve, which was established in the 1930s to safeguard endangered Bengal tigers.