Tigress Poisoned, Buried in Retaliation Killing

A translocated tigress, equipped with a radio collar and released into the Satpura landscape, was found poisoned and subsequently buried in a pit in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara district. The discovery was made following a search operation triggered by the animal's last known collar location. Forest teams recovered the carcass after initial suspicion arose from a partially eaten ox found nearby.

The tigress, approximately four-and-a-half years old, had been released into the wild about eighteen months prior and was due for collar removal. The incident appears to be an act of retaliation; the ox's owner confessed to poisoning the animal after it was killed by the tigress. He then allegedly buried the tigress's body with the help of others to conceal the crime.

Five people have been arrested in connection with the tigress's death and charged under the Wildlife Protection Act. Investigations are ongoing to determine if there was a larger conspiracy or prior planning, and the exact toxic substance used is being examined. This incident highlights the growing conflict between expanding tiger populations and local communities, with 14 tiger deaths reported in Madhya Pradesh since January.