The Madhya Pradesh Forest Department has formally requested the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to dispatch an independent team to investigate the death of a tiger that was involved in a fatal attack at the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve on Sunday. Questions have arisen over whether the tiger may have already died before it was tranquilised by forest officials.
NTCA Team to Conduct Independent Autopsy
Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW) Samita Rajora confirmed that a four-member NTCA team is scheduled to arrive at Bandhavgarh on Monday to conduct an independent autopsy and assess the circumstances surrounding the tiger's death. Rajora stated, “The tiger was apparently dead before the veterinarians darted it,” adding that the animal exhibited no movement prior to sedation.
Details of the Incident
According to forest officials, the tiger attacked villagers in Khaira Tola under the Panpatha buffer area on Sunday morning, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to several others. In response, senior forest officials, including the Field Director and Deputy Director, along with veterinary staff, arrived at the site around 8 am to coordinate a rescue operation with police and revenue authorities.
By that time, a crowd of approximately 300 to 400 villagers had gathered, and the situation had become tense. Officials reported that the veterinary officer examined the tiger and found “absolutely no signs of movement.” However, to confirm its condition and eliminate any risk, it was decided to dart the animal at the location.
The release noted that the tiger still showed no reaction after being darted, raising doubts over whether it had already died before intervention.
Escalation of Tensions
Tensions escalated as an agitated mob allegedly vandalised forest department vehicles and assaulted officials and staff present during the operation. Several personnel, including range officers, forest guards, and a driver, were injured and subsequently admitted to Manpur Government Hospital for treatment.
Post-Mortem Procedures
As per NTCA protocol, an initial post-mortem was conducted at the site. However, after consultations between senior forest officials and the NTCA Member Secretary in Delhi, a second autopsy was ordered. The carcass was transported to Mukundpur and stored in a deep freezer to facilitate re-examination.
The second post-mortem is being performed by a three-member veterinary panel comprising experts from Jabalpur, Mukundpur, and the Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT), with an NTCA representative from the regional office in Nagpur present during the procedure.
Forensic Analysis to Determine Cause of Death
Officials indicated that forensic and viscera reports will be crucial in determining whether the tiger died before darting, succumbed to injuries sustained during the incident, or suffered any complications related to the use of sedatives. The findings will help clarify the sequence of events and address the concerns raised by the forest department and wildlife authorities.
