A tigress, around four to six years old, was found dead in the backwaters of the Kabini close to Karapura on Wednesday. The post-mortem report indicates that it was electrocuted.
The carcass was found floating in the backwaters in N. Belthru village limits, about 5 km from the Nagarahole tiger reserve. On being alerted, senior Forest Department officials, including the Conservator of Forests Ravi Shankar, reached the spot.
Though the skin and canines were intact, the claws had been removed and were found in a plastic bag tied to the left foreleg of the animal.
Mr. Ravi Shankar said the post-mortem report clearly indicated that it was death due to electrocution and some villagers may have tried to remove the claws on finding a dead tiger. But, the fear of being caught and prosecuted, drove them to put the claws in a bag and tie it to the carcass.
Another official said local villagers may have dragged the carcass to the backwaters and dumped it on finding it had been electrocuted, to evade prosecution. Further investigation is on.
Meanwhile, samples of the viscera were collected and sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for analysis. The carcass of the tiger was burnt as per the National Tiger Conservation Authority protocols in the presence of senior officials, and the entire procedure was filmed.
