Hunsur: The carcass of a tigress was found in a highly decomposed state near Tuppadakola in Veeranahosahalli Wildlife Zone of Nagarahole Reserve Forest on Thursday.

The Forest Department personnel, who were patrolling the area, found the decomposed carcass of the tigress aged between six and seven years in a field.

Hunsur Veterinary Department Assistant Director Dr. Lingaraj and Nagarajole Veterinarian Dr. Mujeeb, who conducted the post-mortem, did not find any grievous injuries and it looked like a natural death. As the canines of the tigress were found broken, the tigress may have starved to death as it was unable to hunt. Viscera of the tigress have been sent to a lab and the exact cause for its death would be known only after receiving the lab report.  

Nagarahole Project Tiger Director Mahesh Kumar, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Satish, Wildlife Warden Kruthika Alanahalli, Range Forest Officers (RFOs) T.M. Ravindra, Hanumantharaju and others visited the spot. The carcass of the tigress was cremated at the spot.