A return published in the governmental _Gazette_ shows that the number
of persons killed by wild animals and snakes in 1883 was 22,905, as
against 22,125 in the previous year. Of these, 20,067 deaths were due
to snake-bites, 985 to tigers, and 504 to other carnivora. The loss
of cattle from the same cause amounted to 47,478 animals, being an
increase of 771 on the figures for the previous year. It is somewhat
remarkable that while the great majority of human deaths is set down
to snakes, only 1644 cattle are said to have perished from that
cause. Nearly three-fourths of the deaths occurred in Bengal and the
North-west Provinces. The number of dangerous animals killed during
the year was 19,890, and more than fifteen thousand pounds was paid in
rewards. In regard to the fearful mortality from snake-bites, it might
be suggested that the government should increase the rewards paid for
bringing in the dead bodies of these reptiles, or otherwise take more
active measures for their destruction.