Crime Branch begins probe into death of big cat in Odisha

The Crime Branch of Odisha Police Monday began investigation into the death of a big cat at Debrigarh forest in Baragarh district, officials said.

A four-member Crime Branch team visited the site from where the highly decomposed carcass of the animal was recovered on October 29, the team leader DSP Bilasini Nayak said.

"We visited the site where the animal was killed and dumped. We came to know that several of its body parts were taken away by the accused poachers. Four have been arrested," Nayak told reporters.

The carcass was so decomposed that it was difficult to ascertain whether it was a tiger or leopard.

Forest and Environment Minister Bijayshree Routray and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (wildlife) Sandeep Tripathy have said the carcass belonged to a leopard, the local divisional forest officer (DFO) said it was a tiger.

DFO (Baragargh division) Abhay Kumar Dalai said the arrested poachers have confessed that the carcass was of a Royal Bengal Tiger killed about two weeks ago.

"The pug and moustaches seized from the arrested poachers were of a Royal Bengal Tiger," a senior forest official said.

The forest officials at Debrigarh suspect that the animal was killed for its nails and teeth, which were missing from the decomposed body.

Nayak said the Crime Branch will submit its report after completing investigation.