Hunsur: The carcass of a tigress aged about three years has been found at Ayara Hosahalli hamlet in K.M. Kolli Forest Range at Nagarahole Reserve Forest yesterday.

With this, the number of tiger deaths in the last 15 days has gone up to two in Nagarahole so far this year and a total of five tigers in both Bandipur and Nagarahole Reserve Forests.

Nagarahole National Park Director V. Manikantan said that the carcass of the tigress was about three-days-old and had porcupine quills sticking out near the chest, which may have resulted in its death.

He said that all the claws were intact and the presence of the quills indicated that the tiger might have got into a skirmish with the porcupine which turned out to be fatal.

Incidentally, this is the same tiger whose images were captured through the camera trap since three years at Antharasanthe Forest Range.

Manikantan said that the post-mortem of the tigress would be conducted today (Wednesday) and the reason for its death could be known after that.

The frequent deaths of wild animals in both Nagarahole and Bandipur Reserve Forests have saddened wildlife lovers.