Investigation Confirms Poaching in NSTR Tiger Death While Second Case Ruled Natural
A high-level government committee has linked the July 31 discovery of a tiger carcass in the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve to a hunting party. While one animal was shot for its claws, a second tiger death on July 29 was attributed to natural factors.
Key takeaways
- A state committee confirmed a male tiger was killed by poachers in the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve using a country-made firearm.
- The suspects hid the carcass for three weeks after removing the animal's legs to harvest eighteen claws.
- Seven individuals have been arrested and seven claws recovered as the investigation into the poaching ring continues.
- A second tiger death reported on July 29 was officially ruled to be the result of natural causes.
Investigation Results and Forensic Findings
A state-appointed investigative body led by retired IFS officer P. Mallikharjuna Rao has clarified the circumstances surrounding two recent tiger deaths in Andhra Pradesh. The committee determined that an adult male tiger, estimated to be between four and six years old, was killed by hunters in the Gundlakamma Range. Forensic analysis revealed the animal died from a bullet wound sustained between the chest and abdomen approximately three weeks before its remains were found on July 31.
The Mechanics of the Crime
According to the committee, seven individuals entered the Racherla section of the forest under the Giddalur Division with the initial intent to hunt wild boar. Upon encountering the tiger, the group used a country-made firearm to kill the animal. The perpetrators then amputated all four legs to facilitate claw extraction and moved the carcass roughly two kilometers from the initial shooting site to hide the evidence. While the forest department has recovered seven of the eighteen claws and the weapon used in the killing, the bullet was not located during the necropsy. Aside from the missing limbs and claws, no other internal organs were removed from the tiger.
Status of the Second Fatality
The panel contrasted the poaching incident with a separate death reported on July 29 within the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR). Following a detailed review of the evidence, the high-level committee concluded that this specific tiger succumbed to natural causes rather than human interference or foul play.
Legal Actions and Enforcement
Authorities have arrested and remanded the seven suspects involved in the shooting. P.V. Chalapathi Rao, Head of Forest Force, and Member-Convenor Rahul Pandey confirmed that while the primary suspects are in custody, the investigation continues to recover the remaining missing claws. Forest officials have reiterated their stance on strict enforcement of protection laws to deter future violations within the reserve.
Key Facts
- The poached tiger was an adult male aged four to six years located in the NSTR Gundlakamma Range.
- Seven suspects are in custody for using a country-made gun to kill the animal.
- Investigators recovered seven of the eighteen claws removed from the carcass.
- A separate tiger death recorded on July 29 was confirmed as a natural mortality event.
Source: The Hindu — National
Related stories
Andhra Pradesh Orders Granular Strategy to Scale Visakhapatnam Economic Region
State Administration Finalizes Logistics for Amaravati Independence Day Event
P.V. Sindhu Breaks Ground on World-Class Multi-Sport Academy in Visakhapatnam
