Tiger waits 12 hours outside man's hut - ripping him apart leaving him headless

13 August 2023 , 18:04

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A series of horrifying killings gripped a remote snow-covered wilderness in the far east of Russia (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A tiger waited 12 hours outside man's hut before ripping him apart leaving him headless in a terrifying rampage.

A series of horrifying killings gripped a remote snow-covered wilderness in the far east of Russia back in December 1997 with a vengeful Siberian tiger the perpetuator.

The violent attacks took place in a town in East Russia with the first victim, Vladimir Markov a 47-year-old poacher, being stalked and killed by the tiger when his headless and disemboweled body were found near his cabin.

Then a young former soldier Andrei Pochepnya's blood-soaked clothing, his watch, crucifix, and a pair of abandoned boots were the only items remaining of him after he visited the forest for a hunting trip just days later.

Both victims had been stalked and devoured by the tiger, Canadian author John Vaillant has recounted in his book: The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival.

Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts

Canadian author John Vaillant has recounted the tale in his book: The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival (Getty Images/500px)

The alpha-male Siberian tiger, measuring over 9ft-long and weighing around 500lbs, had eaten both of the victims in the rampage.

It was driven to kill because Vladimir Markov had mistakenly stolen parts of the tiger's hunting prize - a boar.

This led the tiger on a revenge mission and Markov confronted the beast with a shotgun, only to enrage it further. The ensuing confrontation led to him being killed by the predator.

And days later Pochepnya, a young local, found himself the next target of the tiger.

Armed with a rusty bolt-action rifle, he stood no chance as the tiger swiftly overpowered Andrei, leaving behind only his blood-soaked clothing and boots.

The tiger then stalked a nearby settlement, sparking panic and chaos. Russian authorities mounted a desperate hunt for the beast.

The lead investigator barely survived the tiger's attack when a group of hunters encountered him - but his colleagues managed to bring down the creature by shooting it.

Canadian author John Vaillant recounted the chilling tale of the tiger's rampage in his book: The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival.

Lucy Williamson