A tiger carcass was found in Navegaon Khairi reservoir near Parseoni in the buffer area of Pench Tiger Reserve on Monday. The tiger has died possibly due to accidental drowning, it is reported.
The staff staying at Kopesarra protection hut of Paoni (Unified Control) range of the reserve found body of the tiger floating in the reservoir about 500 metres from the bank of compartment no: 556 Reserve Forest of Bazarkund beat. They first spotted the tiger during late evening and ascertained death around 9 pm after reaching the spot by a boat.
The body was retrieved on Tuesday noon. Dr Mayur Pawase and Dr Sujit Kolungute from WRTC, Gorewada, conducted the post mortem in presence of Ms Sree Lakshmi Annabathula, Field Director, Pench, Prabhu Nath Shukla, Deputy Director, Atul Derokar, ACF, Mahesh Parab, Jayesh Taydre, Anil Bhagat, all RFOs, Udhamsingh Yadav, Honorary Wildlife Warden/Representative of NTCA, and Mandar Pingale from Satpuda Foundation.
All body parts like nails and canines were found hanging or dislocated due to water. There was no sign of electrocution or poisoning and officials collected visceral samples for forensic analysis. Further investigation is underway, informed Shukla.