A tiger was found dead at the Edappalayam area of the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Idukki district on Saturday. There were spines of porcupines all over the body of the animal, aged around 15 years, said an official of the PTR. The carcass, believed to be a week old, was found near the Thekkady lake.
Forest guards found the carcass near the watch tower of Edappalayam section on Saturday morning. The tiger’s mouth was locked as a spine had pierced its tongue and lower portion of the jaw. Its belly and legs were found punctured with spines. The tiger might have died slowly after the porcupine attack as it was not in a position to hunt animals. Officials said a post-mortem examination would be conducted on Monday in the presence of officials from the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
Another tiger was found dead in the PTR on January 16. The carcass of the male tiger, aged around 7 years, was found in the Paravalavu-Pullimanthuruthu area. The post-mortem report said the wounds in its body could have been caused by a big animal.
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