Mutilated Tigress Discovered in Pench Tiger Reserve
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Synopsis
A disturbing discovery was made in Pench Tiger Reserve where a 12-year-old tigress was found dead and mutilated. Evidence points to foul play, prompting investigations by forest officials. A reward has been offered for information on the culprits. The region is known for its significant tiger population.
Key Takeaways
- Tigress discovered mutilated in Pench Tiger Reserve.
- Evidence of foul play with removal of claws and teeth.
- Investigations are ongoing.
- Reward offered for information leading to the culprits.
- Madhya Pradesh has a significant tiger population.
Bhopal, April 26 (NationPress) A 12-year-old tigress was found dead in a mutilated state within the Pench Tiger Reserve in Seoni district, often referred to as Mowgli land, in Madhya Pradesh.
A patrol team stationed in Pench Tiger Reserve made the distressing discovery on Saturday morning. The carcass of the tiger was located buried in the dense forest of the Khar Buffer zone near Masurnala.
Even more alarming was the evidence of foul play; forest officials found that the carcass had been tampered with, as four claws were reportedly removed with an axe or a similar sharp instrument, along with the extraction of nine teeth.
The official report indicated that the carcass was situated in a deep trench, partially covered in the sand of a forest drain, with approximately one-third of the body visible.
In response to the grim findings, forest officials, including the field staff of Pench Tiger Reserve, promptly arrived at the scene to initiate an investigation.
“The Director of Pench Tiger Reserve, Dev Prasad, has announced a reward of Rs 10,000 for anyone who provides credible information about the individuals responsible for the mutilation of the tiger’s remains,” an official informed IANS.
The carcass was identified as a female tiger, catalogued in 2016 under the Reserve’s photo database with the code PN 42.
At the time of her initial identification, the tigress was estimated to be between two to three years old, making her approximately 12 years or more at the time of her death.
A post-mortem examination was conducted by a team led by senior wildlife veterinarian, Dr. Akhilesh Mishra, in accordance with the NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority) Standard Operating Procedures. The examination found no indications of poisoning, electric shock, or gunshot injuries, implying that natural causes could be a possibility.
The disposal of the tiger’s carcass was carried out following NTCA guidelines, supervised by high-ranking forest officials and members of the incineration committee.
“Investigations are continuing to uncover additional details regarding this incident,” stated the official.
According to the NTCA website, the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve recorded the highest number of tiger deaths in India, totaling 93. However, no tiger mortality has been documented in Pench.
Madhya Pradesh is recognized as a significant tiger state, housing 785 tigers across its nine tiger reserves, according to the 2022 census.
