The carcass of a female tiger found near Pachedoddi village in Hanur buffer zone of Male Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary in Chamarajanagar district.
Credit: DH Photo
Hanur (Chamarajanagar dist): A female tiger was killed and severed into three pieces near Pachchedoddi village in the Hanur buffer zone of Malai Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary on Thursday.
It may be mentioned that a tigress and her four cubs were found dead in the same sanctuary, due to poisoning, in June 2025.
Forest department personnel were on patrol on Thursday evening when they found half of the tiger's carcass buried in the soil. The tiger's head, shoulder and front limbs were found. The tiger's claws and teeth were also found. The department personnel have started combing to find the missing parts of the carcass.
The Forest Department has initiated a probe with the help of the sniffer dog squad and fingerprint experts to ascertain whether it is a poaching case.
According to department sources, the tiger’s claws, teeth and skin were intact. The exact reason for the killing is yet to be ascertained. It is suspected that the tiger might have been killed for revenge.
The Forest department officials have filed a poaching case and have initiated a probe to trace the accused, with the help of a dog squad and fingerprint experts, said M M Hills Deputy Conservator of Forest Bhaskar.
Minister orders probe
Meanwhile, Forest Minister Eshwar B Khandre has expressed grief over the killing of another tiger in Hanur, under M M Hills limits, and has ordered an investigation by a team led by the PCCF. He has issued an order to form a team led by PCCF Smitha Bijoor and personally visit the spot.
The Minister has also directed action to prevent recurrence of such incidents in the area by paying attention to poaching cases registered in the last three years and reviewing the investigation reports, and sought a report within eight days, along with recommendations for appropriate action against officials if there was any negligence.
This incident confirms the poaching of wildlife in the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. The government has taken this seriously and has instructed strict action to prevent recurrence of such incidents, the Minister stated.
According to the post-mortem report, the tigress that was killed in the Malai Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is said to be around 12-year-old. As its canines were weak, it is suspected to have survived by killing and eating livestock.
There were no bullet injuries on the tiger’s body. All the organs were intact. Poisoning to death is suspected and will be ascertained after the lab reports are available. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau officials will visit the spot on Saturday.
There are clues of the accused. All steps have been taken to nab him. The exact reason for killing the tiger will be available after his arrest, said Forest department officials.