Tiger found dead in Nallamala

Mahbubnagar: A tiger was found dead in suspicious circumstances with its limbs missing in the Nallamala forests in Mahbubnagar district. Though the big cat reportedly died two days ago, the incident came to light on Thursday after shepherds alerted the local forest officialsIt is suspected that smugglers killed the tiger and cut off its limbs for nails due to their high demand in the international market. The carcass of the tiger was found at Rushula Cheruvu in Munnanoor forest range. The incident comes as a dampener as forest officials are currently conducting census.

Rushula Cheruvu is major source of water for wild animals. Smugglers keep an eye on this watering hole.

Local forest officer Suresh Babu told reporters that the tiger might have died due to ill health and poachers took away the limbs after its death. Divisional forest officer Venkat Ramana too feels that the tiger died a natural death. He, however, added that the post-mortem report will reveal the exact cause of death.

Meanwhile, forest officials found an injured leopard on Dornala-Srisailam ghat road in Prakasam district. The animal was apparently hit by a speeding vehicle. The leopard was shifted to veterinary hospital for treatment. Forest officials registered a case.