A Dutch national survived a tiger attack on Saturday at Baghauraphant in Bardiya National Park (BNP) by climbing up a tree.

Gorard Vaan Laan clung to the tree for about two hours as the tiger waited for him down under. The tiger attacked and injured nature guide Krishna Shah in his bid to rescue the foreign tourist.

The tiger had pounced on the Dutch, guide Shah, another guide Umanga Khadka and owner of Bardiya Tiger Resort Ramji Thapa during their visit to the park. The three others had managed to flee.

Chief Conservation Officer Ramesh Kumar Thapa said the BNP’s mahouts rescued the victim after two hours with the help of elephants. The Dutch informed Shah that he was in the tree when inquired on his phone.

The tiger attacked Shah as he reached the area to rescue his guest. “The tiger ran away after three others made noise and banged on the ground,” said Ramesh Kumar. The beast and two cubs attacked them again as they approached to rescue the Dutch.

Shah, who was injured in the hands and legs, was taken to Kohalpur Teaching Hospital in Banke for treatment. According to the BNP administration, the health of the injured guide is stable.

The incident took place in a dense forest considered as the main tiger habitat. The BNP is home to an estimated 70 tigers.