In a shocking incident for wildlife conservation, a young male tiger was discovered dead under highly suspicious circumstances in Chhattisgarh's Surajpur district. The carcass was found close to the ecologically sensitive Guru Ghasidas–Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve, with forest authorities pointing towards a grim combination of illegal electrocution and subsequent poaching.
Discovery and Initial Findings
The grim discovery was made on Monday morning in compartment number 705 of the Ghui forest range, located within the Bhainsamunda circle of the Revti area. Local villagers were the first to spot the carcass and promptly alerted the forest department. A rapid response team comprising officials and veterinarians immediately rushed to the remote location.
Preliminary examinations indicated that the tiger had died approximately two days before its recovery. Officials noted visible injury marks on the animal's back. In a clear and distressing sign of possible wildlife crime, the tiger's valuable canines and claws were missing. Adding to the evidence, an iron implement was also recovered from the site, further deepening suspicions of foul play.
Official Statement and Investigation Launched
Forest department officials theorize that the wild cat may have first fallen victim to an illegally laid live wire, intended for hunting, and was later mutilated for its body parts by poachers. Arun Kumar Pandey, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), confirmed the gravity of the situation. "Prima facie, this appears to be a case of electrocution, followed by poaching," Pandey told the Times of India.
The department has ordered a detailed post-mortem to ascertain the exact cause of death. "We have sent written authorisation. A Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) officer along with experts is on the spot, and a sniffer dog team has also been deployed," Pandey added, expressing confidence in solving the case. He referenced a recent success in the Khairagarh division, where a similar case involving a panther led to the arrest of four accused.
Ecological Significance and Setback for Conservation
The deceased tiger was not one of the individuals already being tracked by the department. Officials believe it may have dispersed from the Wadrafnagar range before reaching Ghui. This area is part of a crucial tiger corridor connecting Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand, recording regular movement of the big cats.
Forest staff reported that the Ghui–Guru Ghasidas–Tamor Pingla belt has seen movement of four to five tigers in recent months, including a tigress with two cubs. This underscores the ecological importance of the landscape. The incident represents a severe setback for this emerging key tiger habitat in north Chhattisgarh. "Tiger presence here is a sign of a healthy forest, and losing a young male in this manner is deeply worrying," a senior officer stated, vowing to pursue the case to its logical conclusion.
A team of veterinarians will conduct the post-mortem in the presence of senior officers, after which the carcass will be cremated as per protocol. The Forest Department has launched a full-scale investigation into the suspected poaching and illegal electrification, and is actively questioning local residents.
