In the Nilgiris district, a tigress and her cub were found dead under mysterious circumstances at an estate near Gudalur, sparking concerns of possible poisoning. The carcasses, both showing signs of external injuries and bleeding, were found some distance apart, according to a senior forest official on Tuesday.
The forest department officials were alerted to the scene, where they first found the body of a sub-adult tiger on an estate pathway. Nearby, approximately 75 meters away in a marshy area, they discovered the remains of a tigress, believed to be the mother of the deceased cub, as reported by PTI.
The nature of the external injuries on both tigers has led officials to suspect foul play. To determine the exact cause of death, a post-mortem was conducted by a Veterinary Assistant Surgeon from the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) in the presence of representatives from non-governmental organizations, following the protocol set by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
As per the NTCA's Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on tiger deaths, the area within a 500-meter radius of the discovery site has been designated a crime scene. Forest department staff, organized into two teams, are thoroughly investigating the area and surrounding neighborhoods for any evidence that could shed light on the deaths.
During the post-mortem examinations, veterinarians found remnants of a wild boar in the stomachs of the tigers. Analysis of their visceral organs revealed signs of damage consistent with poisoning further deepening suspicions, according to a report on The Hindu.
In response, Tamil Nadu forest department has registered a case under the Wildlife Protection Act. Multiple teams have been dispatched to nearby settlements to conduct a detailed inquiry as the investigation continues into what led to the demise of these protected animals.
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