In a disturbing case of wildlife crime, the Forest Department has arrested five individuals for allegedly poisoning a radio-collared tiger near the Satpura Tiger Reserve. A decomposed carcass of the tiger was found buried in a pit in West Chhindwara forest division area on Friday. Officials launched an investigation soon after the recovery, which led to the arrest of the accused. According to forest authorities, the tiger had originally been brought from Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve several years ago and had later established its territory outside the protected reserve area. Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused resorted to poisoning the tiger after it allegedly killed their cattle.

 

Officials also found that those arrested were involved in illegal opium cultivation in the region. All five accused have been produced in court and remanded to judicial custody. Forest officials stated that further investigation is underway to uncover the full extent of the crime and any additional involvement. The incident has once again raised serious concerns over human-wildlife conflict and illegal activities threatening endangered species in the region.