Arrests Made in Suspicious Tiger Death Case in Andhra Pradesh
Investigation into Tiger Death Intensifies
Representational Image
Amaravati, August 4: The Andhra Pradesh Forest Department has made strides in the investigation concerning the suspicious death of a tiger in the Nallamalla forest, leading to the arrest of two individuals.
The suspects, identified as Anji and Viranjaneyulu, were apprehended in Medikundur, located in Guntur district, and subsequently transported to Giddalur in Markapuram district for further interrogation, as reported by officials on Tuesday.
Following directives from Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, the Forest Department has ramped up its inquiry into this matter.
The remains of an adult tiger were discovered on July 31 near Tettu Madugu within the Gundlakamma Range of the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) in Markapuram district.
Authorities are investigating whether the tiger was a victim of poaching, died from poisoned bait, or faced other fatal circumstances.
Preliminary assessments suggest that the tiger may have passed away approximately 35 to 40 days prior to the discovery of its carcass.
Notably, the tiger's paws and legs were missing, raising concerns that its claws may have been removed for illegal trade.
The remains have been sent to the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad and the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly for forensic examination and post-mortem analysis.
Investigators are currently awaiting the forensic results to ascertain the cause of death.
On August 1, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Environment and Forests, Pawan Kalyan, initiated a probe into the tiger's death at the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve.
He expressed his concern over the incident, emphasizing the critical importance of tiger conservation for maintaining ecological balance. He shared his thoughts on ‘X’, stating, “The loss of even a single tiger's life is a matter of grave concern. This incident serves as yet another reminder of our responsibility to protect our forests and wildlife.”
Pawan Kalyan has instructed the NSTR Field Director to carry out a thorough and transparent investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.