Karnataka: Tiger Found Dead In Coffee Estate, Officials Suspect Territorial Fight

The officials said the exact cause of death will be known only through a post-mortem examination conducted under National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) protocol.

Even three days ago, the forest officials said, the tiger was spotted limping in an area which was near the coffee estate. ( Image Source :PTI )

Karnataka Forest Department officials on Thursday said a tiger was found dead in a coffee estate in Virajpet range of Kodagu district. They said that the injuries on the left paw and shoulder indicated that it might have been involved in a territorial fight. The officials said the exact cause of death will be known only through a post-mortem examination conducted under National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) protocol.

According to PTI, a senior official said: "This particular tiger which was about 13-year-old was in a conflict situation. It was engaged in cattle killing on a regular basis in the coffee estate and around. It was quite old and since it was entering the human habitation and was also in a conflict situation, our forest personnel started tracking it...we wanted to capture it for which we had permission so that any human injuries or death could be avoided."

Even three days ago, he said, the tiger was spotted limping in an area which was near the coffee estate. So, a forest department team accompanied by elephants and veterinarians conducted a search operation.

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"We aimed to track and potentially capture the tiger. Observing its limp, our intention was to examine and, if necessary, provide treatment. We had plans to transport it to a rescue center," stated the official.

Kumar Pushkar, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), informed PTI that during the search operation, the tiger's body was discovered in the coffee estate on Wednesday.

While a post-mortem has been scheduled on Thursday, preliminary observations said that the tiger engaged in a territorial fight with another large cat was evident due to multiple injuries. The tiger, being quite old, exhibited completely damaged canines. 

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