Corbett tiger found dead in wire snare

At a time when tiger census is in progress amid concerns over the dwindling population of tigers, yet another tiger was found dead in Fonto Range of Tarai West Division of Corbett Tiger Reserve.

A male tiger estimated to be six or seven years was found trapped in a wire snare near agriculture fields. The body of the tiger was lying there for the last 48 hours. The post-mortem report also revealed that the big cat died of a wire snare which had caused a wound in its belly.

"I believe there was no involvement of poachers as all the organs of the feline was found intact. It seemed to be a case of human-animal conflict, as farmers placed a wire snare near agriculture field to prevent wild boars from reaching the field. The feline trapped in the same snare and died due to bleeding, said RK Mishr, Director of Corbett National Park.

Mishr added that a red alert has been sounded and teams have been pressed to remove wire snares placed near agriculture fields. Divisional Forest Officer of Tarai West Division said that a search for culprits is being undertaken in 30 villages falling within 5 kilometre radius of the site where tiger was found. A sniffer dog from Rajajji National Park is also being used in the search operation. This is third reported tiger death since January this year. As many as nine tiger have died under the area of Corbett Tiger Reserve since January 2009.

http://www.dailypioneer.com/242520/Corbett-tiger-found-dead-in-wire-snare.html

Tiger, on its last leg

The Observer

Conservationists believe the number of tigers left in India may be little over half the official tally and that at the present rate of decline, the tiger will cease to be a viable wild species in India within five years, writes Gethin Chamberlain The poachers perch on the rough platforms they have built in the trees, waiting for the tiger to come. They have been searching the forests of Ranthambhore reserve for days, following the pug marks and other tell-tale signs. When they found the fresh kill, they knew it would only be a matter of time before the tiger returned to eat. They placed their traps on the path, scattering small stones across the sandy soil, knowing that tigers hate to walk on them and will pick their way around. The tiger pads forward into the trap, which springs shut with a snap. Desperate to free itself, the tiger thrashes around. Another foot catches in another trap, then a third. The poachers watch to make sure it cannot free itself. One man carries a bamboo stick into which he has poured molten lead to give it more weight. The other has a spear on the end of a 10ft pole. As the tiger opens its mouth, the poacher with the spear lunges forward, stabbing between its open jaws. His colleague smashes the tiger over the head with the stick. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/58279/tiger-its-last-leg.html