The Royal Bengal tiger, it appears, isn't safe even within the confines of a zoo. Miscreants broke into the state zoo in Arunachal Pradesh capital Itanagar on Monday night and killed a female tiger. They fled after making a few incisions on the body. Zoo in-charge Joram Dopum said the incident happened between 8-10pm on Monday. The miscreants shot the tigress and broke into the cage, he said.

One of six in the zoo, the tigress was almost six years old. Established in 1987, the 250 hectare zoo has 200 animals.

"We have lodged an FIR and investigation has commenced to determine the motive. The tigress had bullet injuries and most of its body parts were intact. But we are taking action against those who should have been around to prevent the incident," principal chief conservator of forest BS Sajwan said from Itanagar. According to deputy chief conservator of forest (wildlife) P Ringu, a small portion of the tigress’ abdomen appeared to have been sliced away.

“The miscreants could have been after a male tiger but killed a female instead,” he said.

In 2003, Mizoram minister K Vanlalauva had allegedly killed and cooked the meat of a barking deer.