Tiger death in Nallamalla: 2 arrested in Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Reserve probe
Synopsis
A tiger found dead in Andhra Pradesh's Nallamalla forests with its paws and legs missing — a tell-tale sign of illegal claw trade — has led to two arrests. With forensic labs in Hyderabad and Bareilly racing to determine the cause, and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan personally ordering the probe, this case has become a litmus test for wildlife law enforcement in one of India's largest tiger reserves.
Key Takeaways
Anji and Viranjaneyulu arrested at Medikundur, Guntur district in connection with a tiger's suspicious death in Nallamalla forests .
The tiger's carcass was found on 31 July near Tettu Madugu in the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) , Markapuram district.
The tiger's paws and legs were missing , raising suspicions of illegal claw trade.
Investigators believe the tiger may have died 35 to 40 days before the carcass was discovered.
Remains sent to CCMB, Hyderabad and IVRI, Bareilly for forensic and post-mortem analysis.
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan ordered a probe on 1 August and directed the NSTR Field Director to investigate.
The Andhra Pradesh Forest Department has arrested two suspects in connection with the death of a tiger under suspicious circumstances in the Nallamalla forests, officials confirmed on Tuesday, 4 August. The arrests mark the first concrete breakthrough in a case that has drawn high-level political attention and raised alarm over wildlife poaching in one of India's most critical tiger habitats.
The Arrests
Anji and Viranjaneyulu were apprehended at Medikundur in Guntur district and subsequently transferred to Giddalur in Markapuram district for further questioning, according to officials. The Forest Department has intensified the investigation following direct orders from Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, who also holds the Environment and Forests portfolio.
How the Carcass Was Found
The carcass of an adult tiger was discovered on 31 July near Tettu Madugu in the Gundlakamma Range of the Racherla forest area, within the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR), Markapuram district. Investigators suspect the animal may have died 35 to 40 days before the carcass was found, suggesting the death occurred in mid-to-late June.
Critically, the tiger's paws and legs were missing, raising strong suspicions that its claws had been removed for illegal trade — a hallmark of organised wildlife trafficking networks that target big cats across central and southern India.
Cause of Death Under Investigation
Forest officials are examining three possibilities: poaching, death from poisoned bait, or other undetermined causes. The tiger's remains have been dispatched to two premier institutions — the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad and the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly — for forensic and post-mortem analysis. Investigators are awaiting these reports before formally determining the cause of death.
Government Response
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on 1 August ordered a comprehensive probe and directed the NSTR Field Director to conduct a transparent investigation. In a post on X, Kalyan stated: 'The loss of even a single tiger's life is a matter of grave concern. This incident serves as yet another reminder of our responsibility to protect our forests and wildlife.' He added that tiger conservation is essential for maintaining nature's ecological balance.
What Happens Next
The outcome of the forensic analysis from CCMB and IVRI will be pivotal in determining whether this was a case of deliberate poaching or accidental poisoning. The NSTR, spanning over 3,500 sq km across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, is one of India's largest tiger reserves. This incident is the latest in a series of tiger deaths reported from central and southern Indian reserves in recent years, renewing calls for stronger anti-poaching surveillance and patrolling in deep forest zones.
Point of View
Not a solitary act. Tiger claws command a premium in illegal wildlife markets, and their removal requires knowledge and tools that casual poachers rarely possess. The 35-to-40-day gap between the estimated time of death and discovery of the carcass also raises uncomfortable questions about patrolling frequency in the NSTR, one of India's flagship reserves. Political visibility from Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan is welcome, but the real accountability test lies in whether the forensic findings are made public and whether the two arrested suspects lead investigators up the supply chain — or become the convenient end of it.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the Nallamalla tiger death case?
Two suspects, identified as Anji and Viranjaneyulu, were arrested at Medikundur in Guntur district and transferred to Giddalur in Markapuram district for questioning. They are the first arrests in the case involving the suspicious death of a tiger in the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve.
Where and when was the tiger's carcass found?
The carcass of an adult tiger was found on 31 July near Tettu Madugu in the Gundlakamma Range of the Racherla forest area, within the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) in Markapuram district, Andhra Pradesh. Investigators believe the animal may have died 35 to 40 days before the body was discovered.
Why are the missing paws and legs significant?
The tiger's paws and legs were found missing, which investigators say raises strong suspicions that the claws were removed for illegal trade. Tiger claws are a sought-after commodity in wildlife trafficking networks, and their deliberate removal suggests organised poaching rather than accidental death.
What is the current status of the forensic investigation?
The tiger's remains have been sent to the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad and the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly for forensic and post-mortem analysis. Investigators are awaiting these reports to formally determine whether the tiger was poached, poisoned, or died from other causes.
What action did Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan take?
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan ordered a comprehensive and transparent investigation on 1 August, directing the NSTR Field Director to uncover the reasons behind the tiger's death. He also posted on X, calling the loss 'a matter of grave concern' and underscoring the importance of tiger conservation for ecological balance.
