“Territorial Fight Between Tigers: Tigress Found Dead in Kagaznagar, Telangana”

Accident – death – Obituary News : Hyderabad: A tigress was discovered lifeless in the tiger corridor of Kagaznagar near Kawal Reserve. After conducting a post-mortem examination, officials have suggested that the death may have been the result of a territorial fight between the big cats. The skin, claws, and teeth of the tigress were found to be intact. The incident occurred in the Daregaon beat area of Kagaznagar.

Telangana has not reported any tiger mortalities in 2022 and 2023. However, the state experienced its first tiger death in January of this year.

At approximately 1:45 pm on Saturday, forest staff led by Deputy Range Officer Rama Devi discovered the carcass of a tiger in the Daregaon beat. Asifabad District Forest Officer (DFO) Niraj Tiberwal and officials, including two veterinarian doctors, immediately rushed to the scene for further investigation.

“The tiger was identified as a female, approximately 1.5 years old. There were visible injuries on the neck and abdomen of the animal, indicating a possible territorial fight. We also found hair samples in the mouth of the deceased tiger, most likely belonging to another tiger. These samples have been sent for further investigation. Additionally, the right hind leg of the tiger was found to be fractured. Upon closer inspection, the team did not find any evidence of hunting using snares, traps, or electrocution. The veterinarians have also ruled out the possibility of poisoning,” stated Telangana Chief Wildlife Warden Mohan Chandra Pargaien.

“The skin and other parts, including the nails, of the tiger were found intact. Based on our observations and investigation, we believe this was a case of a territorial fight between tigers. Considering the decomposed state of the body, it is estimated that the death occurred at least three or four days prior,” he added.

Following the protocol, the animal’s body was disposed of after informing the National Tiger Conservation Authority. Officials have also ruled out the possibility of the tiger being affected by diseases like the canine distemper virus.

The foresters have identified the deceased tiger as a resident of Kawal Reserve, and it was a sub-adult. The corridor area has a total of seven tigers, including the sub-adult, and the dead tigress has been identified as one born in the same area.

“The area where the incident occurred is neither part of the tiger reserve nor the buffer zone of Kawal Reserve. It is a corridor area. We found a cattle kill approximately 300 meters away from the location of the tiger’s death. We are currently reviewing camera traps to identify the tiger,” said Asifabad DFO Niraj Tiberwal.

“We can rule out poaching in this case. As per the guidelines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority, we are not revealing the identity of the dead tiger. However, it was a resident tiger and was born in this area. The illegal felling of trees for podu cultivation has resulted in the shrinking of the forest area, leading to territorial fights between tigers over the limited available area. We have also identified a water pond near the site of the tiger’s death. Once we receive the autopsy, viscera, and tissue reports, we will conduct further investigations,” added Tiberwal.

This incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by wildlife in maintaining their territories and resources. It highlights the need for conservation efforts and stricter regulations to protect these magnificent creatures and their habitats..