Edward James Corbett

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Edward James Corbett

Jim Corbett National Park

Being one of the oldest virgin woods of Asia, the Jim Corbett National Park is the dream destination of many wildlife lovers and I’m no exception. I also love to explore the pristine wilderness concealed in the dense forest, but this time I decided to know more than just what the forest conceals. Well, this weird idea helped me in unveiling some unheard (or lesser heard) facts about Corbett and its history. I enjoyed them thoroughly and thought of sharing the same with you. So, here am I pouring my heart out on some known and unknown facts about Corbett.

Almost everyone who has a fair idea about the Jim Corbett National Park is well aware of the fact that the park has been named after Edward James Corbett. Born in India, he was a British hunter, who later turned into a conservationist and contributed considerably in the establishment of the park. Perhaps, this is what we learn when we Google on Jim Corbett National Park or Edward Corbett; however, there is more to the tale. Let’s just flip the pages of Edward James’s History.

From the beginning…

E. James was the eighth child of William Christopher and Mary Jane Corbett. He was born in Nainital, Kumaon district of Uttarakhand on 25 July, 1875. His father William was the postmaster of the town.
Between 1907 and 1938 Edward shot around 19 tigers and 14 leopards. As per the historical facts, these wild cats turned into man-eaters and killed over 1200 people.
Name of some tigers that were shot dead by Corbett are stated as follows:

Champawat Tigress: Shot in 1907, killed more than 200 people.
Panar Leopard – Shot in 1910, alleged to have killed 400 people.
Talla-Des Man-eater – Shot in 1929, killed over 150 people.
Man-eating Leopard of Rudraprayag – Shot in 1925, killed 125 villagers.
Mohan Man-eater – Shot in 1930.
Chowgarh Tigress and her sub-adult cub – Mother Tigress shot in April 1930, killed around 64 people.
Chuka Tigress – Shot in April 1937.
Thak Man-eater Tigress – Shot on 30th November, 1938 in Thak Village. It was the last hunt of Edward James Corbett, as after that he turned into a conservationist.