Two tigers found dead in Karnataka, heads, limbs cut off

Poachers may be responsible for the killing, but the post-mortem report is awaited.
Two tigers found dead in Karnataka, heads, limbs cut off
Two tigers found dead in Karnataka, heads, limbs cut off
Written by:

The decomposed carcasses of two tigers were found in Umblebylu area of Bhadravati division on Thursday afternoon by Range Forest Officers. The area is located close to the Bhadra Tiger Reserve

Students from the government PU college, who had ventured into the forest reported that there was a bad odour coming from the area.

“A patrol party had set off on its usual beat walk already. That is when the bodies of two tigers were found. The tigers were found within 100m of each other and their heads and limbs were cut off. It could be poachers but we are still pursuing the case,” said PCCF (Wildlife), BJ Hosmath.

A team of veterinarians from the Shimoga wildlife division and professors from the Bhadravati forest division conducted an autopsy on Thursday. “We have collected the organ samples of both the tigers and they will be sent to the laboratory for further investigation. We are awaiting the post-mortem report for further action,” the officer said.

The officer said that organ samples of both tigers have been taken and sent to the lab for investigation. “Since the carcasses were 10 days old and were decomposing, the cause of death has still not been determined although the post-mortem was performed on Thursday,” the officer said.

Locals in the area, however, said that there are around 35 tigers in the areas that have been venturing into around 11 villages in Umbebylu.

“We have lodged several complaints with the forest officials and only two weeks ago, two tigers ate up around 30 sheep and cows of one of the villagers. These instances keep happening so we will not be surprised if the forest officers may think the villagers may have killed the tigers. There are also chances that it could be poachers,” said Anil, a resident of Umbebylu.

This is the 15th tiger death in Karnataka since January 2016 and 90th in India. In 2015, 70 tiger deaths were reported in India. The tiger deaths in Karnataka during the same period was 15, a report by The New Indian Express said.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The News Minute
www.thenewsminute.com