Tiger found dead in NSTR was poached, says Andhra Pradesh panel
A high-level committee constituted by the Andhra Pradesh government has concluded that a tiger whose carcass was found in the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) was killed by poachers. In a separate case, another tiger that died in the same reserve succumbed to natural causes. The findings were submitted by the panel headed by retired Indian Forest Service officer P. Mallikharjuna Rao, who is also Advisor to the government on Forest Development Activities.
The committee reported that seven persons illegally hunted the animal using a country-made firearm. The accused removed the tiger's four legs to extract claws, and concealed the carcass nearly two kilometres from the actual crime scene for about three weeks. Forest officials have so far recovered seven of the tiger's 18 claws, and efforts are continuing to trace the remaining claws from the accused. The carcass was discovered on July 31.
The post-mortem examination confirmed that the animal was an adult male tiger aged between four and six years. It had sustained a bullet injury between the abdomen and chest, which led to its death about three weeks before the carcass was found. The bullet was not traced in the body, but a country-made gun was recovered from the accused by police and forest officials.
According to committee members, the accused had entered the forest near a village in the Racherla section of Gundlakamma Range under Giddalur Division with the intention of hunting wild boars. They encountered the tiger and shot it. Apart from the removal of the legs, no other organs were found to have been taken from the animal. The seven accused have been arrested and remanded.
The committee also investigated the death of another tiger in the reserve. It concluded that the animal, which died on July 29, succumbed to natural causes. No evidence of poaching or foul play was found in that case.
Addressing a press conference at Aranya Bhavan in Mangalagiri, Guntur district, on Thursday, Mr. Mallikharjuna Rao; Rahul Pandey, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Member-Convenor of the committee; and P.V. Chalapathi Rao, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, said investigations are continuing. They warned of strict action against anyone involved in harming tigers or violating forest protection laws. The officials stressed that the state government is committed to ensuring the safety and conservation of wildlife in the NSTR.
The Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve is one of the largest tiger reserves in India, spread across the Nallamala hills in the southern state. It is home to a significant population of tigers and other wildlife. Conservationists have repeatedly called for stronger anti-poaching measures and better coordination between forest departments and local communities to prevent illegal activities. The latest incident highlights the continued threats faced by tigers despite legal protections under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
The committee’s report has been submitted to the state government, which is expected to take further action based on the recommendations. Meanwhile, forest officials have intensified patrolling in the reserve and surrounding areas to prevent any similar incidents.
