Electrocution suspected in tiger death at NNTR

Forest authorities are investigating the suspected electrocution death of tiger T-39 after its carcass was found in Maharashtra‘s Nawegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve. Forest officials said the four-year-old big cat was found on Tuesday next to a farm near Bodunda village in the Gondia district’s Thadezari beat, following a beat guard’s routine patrol. NNTR deputy field director Pritamsingh Kodape stated that the carcass bore burn marks, leading to a preliminary assessment of electrocution. Officials stated that a farmer whose land adjoins the reserve’s core boundary and seven other persons were taken into custody on suspicion of involvement. Officials suspected that a live wire laid near the field caused the animal to get caught and die between November 6 and 7. The farmer and others allegedly moved the carcass and dumped it inside the core forest area. NNTR Field Director Piyusha Jagtap and other officials visited the site. The autopsy was completed, and samples were sent for forensic examination to determine the exact cause of death, Kodape said.