2nd tiger carcass found in Goa sanctuary; probe sought

Forest Department officials have found a second carcass of a tiger in the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, a short distance from the area where the carcass of a four-year-old adult male was discovered on Sunday, Goa's Chief Wildlife Warden Santosh Kumar said on Wednesday.

Goa Health Minister and local MLA Vishwajit Rane has requested Union Minister for Environment and Forests Prakash Javadekar to send a central team to conduct a detailed investigation into the matter.

"Last night, while our team was combing the forest area nearby, they detected a foul smell. When they walked towards it, they found a second carcass," Kumar told reporters here.

"Around two to three weeks back, our camera trap had captured a tigress with three cubs. It is believed that this family may have consumed some poisoned meat. We have intensified operations to check if the others are fine," Kumar further added.

On January 5, a tiger believed to have been poisoned, was found near Golvali village located in the lower reaches of the Western Ghats in North Goa's Sattari sub district.

Post-mortem has indicated that the apex predator was poisoned to death. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had also expressed shock at the death of the tiger in the state sanctuary.

Kumar said that patrolling the area was a difficult task on account of the difficult terrain in the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary but forest department personnel were combing the area.

"They are conducting the operation in groups of five on account of the presence of more tigers in the forest," Kumar said.

Police officials have also been roped in for questioning of residents of the area.

Reacting to the death of the second tiger, Rane tweeted urging Javadekar to conduct a detailed investigation.

"With reference to the two cubs that have been found dead at Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Sattari, I would request Union Minister for Forest Shri @PrakashJavdekar to intervene and send a central team to conduct a detailed investigation into the matter," Rane said.

"Having a passion for wildlife, especially tigers, this incident in my constituency at Valpoi has taken me by shock. A thorough investigation into the matter is vital.

"It is very important to stop such mishaps as it is our duty to conserve & protect wildlife," Rane also said.

( With inputs from IANS )