The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has urged the Odisha government to take strong action against erring officials of Satkosia Tiger Reserve for the recent death of a male tiger translocated from Madhya Pradesh.
The carcass of the 3-year-old Royal Bengal Tiger was found on November 14 and central agencies and the state forest department differ on the reason of the big cat's death.
"From the field inspection, it is evident that the death of T-1 (the deceased tiger) took place due to poaching and the concerned authorities have not yet proceeded with logical investigation. There have been attempts to conceal factors behind its death," NTCA's Assistant Inspector General Dr Vaibhav C Mathur wrote to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (wildlife) & Chief Wildlife Warden, Odisha.
A joint inspection team of the NTCA and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in its report has said the tiger died after falling into a trap laid by poachers.
The report is at variance with the state government's claim that the big cat named "Mahavir" died after killing a porcupine, the spine of which was found in its stomach during post-mortem.
In the letter, the NTCA said, "This warrants serious action against all concerned. Immediate action should be initiated against those responsible as it has resulted in embarrassment and the keeping the project in abeyance."
A pair of Royal Bengal Tiger, a male and a female, was brought under state translocation programme
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