Tiger Shot Dead, Claws Chopped Off in Markapur Forest; 7 Taken Into Custody

Nellore: Seven persons were taken into custody in connection with the death of a male tiger in the Giddalur forest division. A forest department investigation found that the big cat was shot dead with a country-made firearm and its limbs were cut off for the claws.

Forest officials recovered seven tiger claws along with limb bones from the accused. A country-made firearm and an axe allegedly used in the offence were seized.

The tiger carcass was discovered in the early hours of July 31 in Racherla Beat of Gundlakamma Range under the Project Tiger division, Giddalur. Forest personnel secured the area and conducted a post-mortem as per the National Tiger Conservation Authority guidelines. Samples have been sent for forensic examination.

According to Nishakumari, deputy director of the Project Tiger division, Giddalur, it appeared that the tiger was killed near Jellivari Pullalacheru revenue village in Racherla mandal of Markapur district. After shooting the animal, the offenders severed its limbs along with the claws and dumped the carcass inside the forest.

Multiple teams were constituted under the supervision of the forest conservator and field director, Project Tiger Circle, Nandyal NSTR, following advice from Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan and the chief wildlife warden.

Officials said intensive field enquiries were done with help from a dog squad and technological support to crack the case. The HANUMAN team played a key role. The Markapur district police also assisted the investigation.

A forest offence case has been registered by the Gundlakamma range authorities, and further investigation is under way to establish all aspects of the tiger killing.