Poisoning suspected in male tiger’s death

On receiving information from villagers that a tiger has been found dead near Parsons Valley, a team of officials from the Forest Department rushed to the spot and retrieved the carcass of the animal.

The male tiger is believed to be between 12 to 15 years and was found near the reservoir. It was initially believed that the animal could have died naturally, but an examination suggested of an un-natural death.

A post-mortem was carried out on the carcass of the animal and its organs were sent for a lab analysis to know if it was poisoned. A sniffer dog was also pressed into service looking for clues in its mysterious death.

Officials of the Forest Department believe that the tiger could have been poisoned by farmers. “This tiger may be preying on goats raised by farmers in settlements located near Parsons Valley. Hence, the farmers could have poisoned the carcass of cattle, which was then consumed by the carnivore,” said an official.

Farmers in this region often raise a hue and cry over prowling leopards and tigers attacking their domestic cattle. Teams of Forest Department had fanned out in the neighbouring localities looking for left over carcass of any poisoned cattle. A case is likely to be registered based on the lab results.