Mysterious Deaths of Tigress and Cub in Nilgiris

A tigress and her cub were discovered dead under suspicious circumstances at an estate near Gudalur in Nilgiris district. Both bodies had external injuries, raising questions about their deaths. A post-mortem is planned, and a 500-meter radius around the site is being treated as a crime scene for investigation.

A tigress and her cub were found dead under mysterious circumstances at an estate near Gudalur in Nilgiris district, a senior forest official reported on Tuesday.

The carcasses of the wild cats, which showed signs of external bleeding injuries, were found at some distance from each other, the official stated.

A team from the forest department, upon notification, rushed to the estate pathway. They discovered the dead body of a sub-adult tiger and, 75 meters away in a marsh within the estate, found a tigress believed to be the mother of the dead sub-adult tiger, according to the official.

Both animals exhibited external injuries, raising suspicions about the nature of their deaths, the official continued.

A post-mortem examination by a Veterinary assistant surgeon from the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR), with non-governmental organizations in attendance, is planned as per National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) protocols.

Following NTCA's standard operating procedures on tiger deaths, a 500-meter radius around the site is being treated as a crime scene. Forest staff, organized into two teams, are thoroughly searching the area and nearby neighborhood for any evidence, the official stated.

(With inputs from agencies.)