Staff Reporter :

 

AN 11-MONTH-OLD tigress cub was found dead in compartment No. 138 of Naktighati beat in Kanha range of Kanha Tiger Reserve during patrolling. The patrol team noticed tiger pugmarks and bloodstains in the forest area. During an intensive search of the surrounding area, the carcass of the cub was found. The team immediately informed senior forest officials, who reached the spot and cordoned off the area. A detailed search was also conducted with the assistance of a dog squad. The carcass was examined by Dr Sandeep Agrawal, Senior Wildlife Health Officer and veterinarian Dr Lalit Chaurasia. The examination established that the cub was approximately 11 months old and female. Injuries and marks indicative of a confrontation with another wild animal were found on the body.

 

Based on the injuries, officials said an inter-animal territorial or other conflict was suspected to be the cause of death. Samples required for forensic examination were collected during the postmortem examination. Following the prescribed procedures, the incident was investigated and documented. Subsequently, the carcass was completely cremated and disposed of as per the standard protocol prescribed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). The cremation of the tigress cub was carried out in the presence of Kanha Tiger Reserve Field Director Ravindra Mani Tripathi, NTCA-nominated representative Shivangi Vendre and other members of the designated cremation committee.