Man's severed body found; tiger attack suspected

A 28-year-old man's severed head and body parts were found in the forests of D B Kuppe Gram Panchayat in the taluk on Monday. The deceased is Madhu, from Manimole tribal hamlet, and is said to have been attacked by a man-eater tiger.

According to villagers, Madhu had gone to the forests on Sunday to fetch wood. When he did not return in the evening, the villagers began searching for him in the forest on Monday, only to find a severed head. The face was disfigured and was identified as that of Madhu, as the axe he used and pieces of his clothes were found strewn in the surroundings. Madhu’s father Dasa had died in an elephant attack, a few years ago.

Veterinarian and Forest department officers visited the spot. Chief Conservator of Forests K N Narayanaswamy of Nagarahole National Park said the exact reason for the death would be ascertained only after the post-mortem.

He may have been killed by a tiger, elephant leopard or bear, the officer said. Madhu may have committed suicide also and his body may have been eaten by animals, he said.