Patna: A tragic incident has occurred in the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in West Champaran district, with the demise of a 7-year-old male tiger bearing marks of a fierce confrontation. The tiger was discovered with significant injuries on its neck, shoulders, and back, prompting suspicions of a deadly altercation with another big cat within the forest.
Neshamani K, the field director of VTR, expressed initial assessments indicating that the tiger’s demise likely resulted from injuries sustained during the confrontation. However, conclusive details regarding the age and exact cause of death will be established postmortem.
The field director emphasized the forest department’s commitment to uncovering the truth, with plans to send the tiger’s viscera for forensic analysis to reputable institutions such as the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) and the Wildlife Institute of India (WWI). Dismissing poaching as a factor, the focus remains on understanding the dynamics of the fateful encounter.
The investigation unfolds amidst efforts to locate another tiger potentially involved in the altercation, as indicated by pugmarks and signs of a violent confrontation discovered at the incident site in the Manguraha forest area.
Forest personnel are diligently conducting post-mortem procedures on the tiger’s remains, with officials maintaining a tight vigilance over the area to prevent unauthorized entry. The incident has prompted heightened scrutiny, with concerns raised over the welfare of tigers in the reserve, where an estimated 54 tigers roam freely across compartments.
The Manguraha range, known for its tranquil ambiance, has witnessed a surge in herbivorous populations, attracting tigers, and necessitating enhanced monitoring efforts to ensure the safety and preservation of wildlife within VTR, the lone tiger reserve in Bihar.
