Carcass of tigress found in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park; poisoning suspected

Initial investigations reveal the tigress could have died after consuming the meat of the cow, which could have been poisoned

Updated on: Mar 1, 2022, 15:14:39 IST

By Utpal Parashar

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GUWAHATI: Forest authorities in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) have found the carcass of a tigress believed to be poisoned by poachers, officials informed on Tuesday.

According to KNPTR officials, the carcass of the animal, aged around four or four-and-a-half years, was found on Monday at Sildubi village on the periphery of the national park’s Kohora range.

“The carcass of the tigress was found near the carcass of a cow. Initial investigations reveal the tigress could have died after consuming the meat of the cow, which could have been poisoned,” said Ramesh Gogoi, divisional forest officer, Kaziranga.

“The tigress was a potential breeder. We have completed post mortem of the animal and other necessary formalities. A case of poaching by poisoning has also been registered against unknown persons and investigations are underway,” he added.

In June last year, a 10-year-old male tiger was killed in an “unwarranted firing” by a forest personnel on the fringes of KNPTR. The forest personnel responsible for the death was later suspended.

According to a 2017 Census, KNPTR has a population of 111 tigers. The park has the world’s highest density of the endangered animal, at one per 5 square kilometre.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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