Sanjeev Kumar Pradhan

Bargarh: A carcass suspected to be that of a Royal Bengal tiger was recovered at Damodarpada jungle near Khajuria village under Bhatli Forest Range on Sunday.

Sources said, the big cat might have been killed by poachers as the nails and teeth were missing while its head was also found to be detached from the body.

After being informed forest officials including honorary warden of Khurda Wildlife Division Suvendu Mallick visited the spot to take stock of the incident.

“Though it is still unclear whether it is a Royal Bengal or not, we suspect that it died due to electrocution from a charged wire which might have been laid to trap wild boar some eight days back,” said Mallick.

Mallick further informed that a detailed investigation needs to be conducted and the matter has already been brought to the notice of higher officials of the Forest department for necessary action.

Bargarh DFO Ajay Dalai informed that the tiger species can only be confirmed after the post mortem.

It is pertinent to note that few weeks ago the Forest department had claimed the presence of a Royal Bengal tiger in Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary in the district. The traces of the tiger were confirmed from the footages of the CCTV cameras installed in the area.

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