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Tiger died of 'prolonged deterioration', dart found after death
29 May
Summary
- Tiger likely died from prolonged physical deterioration.
- Tranquilizer dart found on tiger was shot after its death.
- Postmortem revealed severe weakening and non-functional digestive system.
A tiger at the centre of a deadly human-wildlife conflict in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve likely died due to prolonged physical deterioration. A postmortem examination conducted by wildlife veterinarians concluded the tiger suffered cardio-respiratory failure. This followed a period of severe weakening, evidenced by pale, dry muscles and a rough, lifeless skin.
The investigation also found the tiger's digestive system was largely non-functional, indicating a significant decline before death. The postmortem report noted that a tranquilizer dart recovered from the tiger's shoulder had caused no bleeding, concluding it was struck after the animal had already died.
This finding dismisses the possibility that the tranquilization effort during a rescue operation contributed to the tiger's demise. The tiger had entered a house twice on May 24 in the Panpatha buffer area, injuring several people and tragically killing a tribal woman. The postmortem results were released by the Madhya Pradesh government on Thursday.
