Chandrapur: A 10-year old tigress was found dead under Chandrapur Forest Range on Tuesday night. Forest officials performed inquest formalities at Transit Treatment Centre (TTC) in Chandrapur on Wednesday. Organs, nails, teeth, whiskers and other body parts of the tigress were intact.
Preliminary probe suggests that the tiger died of old age and cardiac arrest. The tigress had been named ‘Sharmili’ by foresters. It was found dead in Compartment No 881 of Durgapur forest area of Chandrapur Forest Division.
On getting information, Divisional Forest Officer, Chandrapur Forest Division, Prashant Khade, RFO Rahul Karekar, the representative of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) visited the spot along with field staff. The carcass was shifted to TTC for post-mortem and it was carried out as per NTCA guidelines under the supervision of Prashant Khade, Divisional Forest Officer, Chandrapur Forest Division.
Dr Ravikant Khobragade, Veterinary Officer (Wildlife), Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Chandrapur, conducted the post-mortem in the presence of all representatives including Bandu Dhotre of NTCA, Mukesh Bhandakkar of PCCF, and others. The tigress was later cremated at TTC as per NTCA guidelines in the presence of staff. Samples of the tigress have been sent to forensic analysis for further examination. After receiving the report the actual cause of death of the tigress will be ascertained.
