Tiger found dead in Hingna range

Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Jun 10, 2013, 02.12 AM IST Villagers poison leopard in South Umred RangeTrain speed to be restricted to 40km/hr in Gondia-Chandrapur sectorEnclosure plea for wild tigerSection 144 to protect straying tigersWild tiger caught in Nandankanan NAGPUR: Even as Nagpur forest division officials are grappling with leopard poisoning case in South Umred, a tiger was found dead in Hingna range on Sunday evening. This is the seventh tiger death in the state since January 2013. The forest staff has failed to learn lessons from the past. Unlike poaching of a full-grown male tiger in Deolapar range that went unnoticed for over a month by the field staff, the carcass of the tiger found on Sunday is suspected to be over 10 days old. However, deputy conservator of forests (DyCF) for Nagpur PK Mahajan ruled out poaching. "All the body parts like nails and skin of the tiger are intact. Prima facie it looks the tiger must have died of old age," Mahajan said. He along with CCF SH Patil had rushed to the spot after learning about the incident. According to Mahajan, the putrefied carcass of a full-grown tiger was found around 4.15pm in reserve forest compartment number 301 in Borgaon beat. The spot is around 47km from Nagpur and 35km from the boundary of Bor Wildlife Sanctuary. According to Mahajan, there appears a crack in a tooth of the tiger. This is an indication of old age, he said adding that 40% of the skin has decomposed. The post mortem and other formalities like panchnama will be completed on Monday morning in the presence of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and chief wildlife warden's representatives. When sought to know about the delay in detecting the carcass, Mahajan admitted laxity on part of beat guard and van majoor, who could have easily discovered the tiger. "Both will face suspension," Mahajan said. On Saturday, beat guard and van majoor were suspended for negligence in poisoning of leopard in South Umred range. Earlier, in Deolapar tiger poaching case, forest guard and van majoor were suspended. However, no accountability has been fixed against range forest officers (RFOs) who are equally responsible for such incidents. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Tiger-found-dead-in-Hingna-range/articleshow/20513194.cms