Human-sized cages are being installed in a zoo's tiger and bear enclosures to catch people who fall into them.

Delhi Zoo is introducing the cages after a visitor fell into its white tigers' moat in 2014 and was mauled to death.

The student was leaning against the moat separating the enclosure from the visitors' gallery when he fell in.

Vijay, a male white tiger, then dragged him out of the moat and around his tree-filled island before attacking him.

The 20-year-old Indian man eventually died of his injuries.


The zoo's owners said the human-sized cages will be installed in the corner of every tiger enclosure as early as next month.

Image: Indian police retrieving the shoes of a student who was attacked by a white tiger at Delhi Zoo in 2014

They will allow anybody who falls inside the enclosure to take shelter until they are rescued.

After the 2014 attack the zoo installed ropes, ladders and firecrackers but officials said they felt they needed more safety measures.

"Ultimately, we settled on the idea of the human-sized cage," Delhi Zoo's director, Renu Singh, told the Times of India.

"We have already commissioned the cages and the first one could be ready in the next 10 days.

"Most zoological parks abroad keep tranquilisers or ladders on standby.

"If successful, the same model can be adopted in other places."

Image: The cages for humans will be installed at Delhi Zoo

He said they will start with the tigers and bears, as they are the most curious, and might expand the initiative to other animals.

Each enclosure will have instructions outside it to let people know what to do in case of an accident.

Mr Singh added: "The cage will not be complicated at all and we will have a simple three-step procedure on what to do if you fall inside.

"People will be able to easily go inside and securely lock themselves inside.

"The cages are fairly sturdy and no harm can come to an individual once inside."