Bhopal/Mandideep: An eight-year-old tiger was found dead in Ratapani Wildlife Reserve on Wednesday. The paws of the tiger were severed and hair from some important part of the body were found missing. After looking at the carcass, forest department has not ruled out possibilities of poaching.
The carcass was found near Obaidullahganj area in Raisen district. The carcass is said to be three or four days old. Front paws of the tiger were chopped and hair around tail and eye lashes was missing. A team comprising doctor from Van Vihar national park, STF (Special Task force) and a squad of sniffer dogs was sent to the spot. The team made an inquiry in the nearby villages but failed to get any clues about death.
This is the second incidence of tiger poaching in the same area where a dead tiger was found with chopped paws. Experts are of opinion that people who practice witchcraft do demand such parts of the tiger’s body to perform some acts specially ‘raining money.’ Earlier in March also a body of tiger was found with severed paws. The incident was reported by local villagers. The tiger death toll has reached 22 this year with death of this tiger. There has been a rise in death of tigers in last one and a half year and has reached about 80. Wild life activist Ajay Dubey expressed concern over safety of tigers in state and accused lackadaisical behavior of officials of the forest department.
