Bandipur/Nagarahole: Two tigers were found dead at Nagarahole and Bandipur Tiger Reserves.

On Mar. 10, the Forest staff, who were on their regular beat found a tiger dead inside an elephant trench behind Chenihadlu Tribal Hamlet on Marapala beat in Anechowkur Wildlife Range of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve and informed their higher officials.

DCF and Director of Nagarahole Reserve Forest, Hunsur Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF), Hunsur Wildlife Zone Range Forest Officers (RFOs) and staff visited the spot and conducted an inspection during which they came to know that the dead tiger was aged about seven years and had died a natural death about two days ago.

Veterinarian Dr. Ramesh and Balele Veterinarian Dr. Bhavishyakumar conducted post-mortem and have collected the viscera samples of the dead tiger. The tiger was cremated at the spot in the presence of others. 

Bose Madappa of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Chief Wildlife Warden Sarin Subbaiah were also present.

On Mar. 9, the staff of Bandipur Tiger Reserve, who were on their regular beat, found a dead female tiger aged between 8 and 9 years at Vesali Macchana Moole forest area on Nayihalla beat of Gundre Range in Hediyala Sub-Division of Bandipur Tiger Reserve.

On examining the photo of the dead feline with the tigers captured on camera traps during census, it came to be known that the dead female tiger was Bandipur 15_U1783 and this female tiger was first captured on camera trap on Mar. 13, 2015 at Gundre Range.

On examining the body of the dead feline, the Forest staff found nothing suspicious and there were no wounds on its body. All the claws, teeth and other organs were intact and there were no signs of its involvement in territorial fight. It is suspected that the female tiger had died of jaundice.

Later, Veterinarian Dr. Wasim Mirza conducted post-mortem and the report stated that the dead female tiger was suffering from many internal diseases and was aged too. The feline was later cremated in the presence of officials and others by following NTCA procedures. Bandipur Tiger Project Director, Bandipur ACF, Gram Panchayat members and others were present.