Probe into white tiger's death at Indore yet to start

A wildlife activist today alleged that even after a month the authorities had not launched a probe into the death of a three-year-old white tiger at the Kamla Nehru zoo here.
Zoo authorities had said the tiger 'Rajan' died due to a cobra bite on December 27.
Activist Ajay Dubey said the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) asked Jabalpur-based wildlife forensic and health director Dr A B Shrivastava to probe the death on January 12, but the latter was yet to visit the zoo.
When contacted, Dr Shrivastava told PTI over phone that he came to know about CZA directive quite late, and subsequently he contacted the zoo management.

"The moment I get train reservation, I will leave for Indore," he said.
Dubey claimed the reason given by the zoo authorities -- snake-bite -- looked suspicious, and should be probed.

Zoo in-charge Dr Uttam Yadav said CZA officials visited after the tiger's death and were briefed about it.
Photograph of the carcass and autopsy report were sent to the CZA on December 30. According to the report, he said, a ground duty official had found an injured cobra in the tiger's enclosure on December 27.
The tiger was frothing at the mouth, bleeding from nose and trembling before it collapsed, he said.

The tiger had come from Bhilai's Matri garden a month ago under a wildlife animal exchange programme.