UDHAGAMANDALAM: Forest officials in the Nilgiris on Wednesday seized a 'fresh' tiger skin from a four-member gang in the Sigur forest area near Anaikatty, suggesting a revival in poaching of the big cat in the Western Ghats.
Investigations are on to find out how the gang came into possession of the skin. Officials said a tip-off enabled them to move in before the skin was sold and arrest the four suspects, including two tribals. Interrogation revealed the involvement of three others, who were also arrested.
District forest officer (north) K Soundarapandian, investigating the seizure along with Mudumalai Tiger Reserve field director Rajiv K Srivasatava, said five of the seven suspects were remanded in custody after being charged under the Wildlife (Protection) Act. All were daily wage labourers from Gudalur taluk.
"An informer who works in surveillance alerted us," Srivastava told TOI. "It is a 'fresh' one and must be about two to three weeks old," he added. "The tiger must have been around four years old."
Tiger poaching in the region was last reported in 2007. A recent census estimated tigers in TN at 76, with a lower limit of 56 and upper limit of 95. Mudumalai reserve has the largest number.
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