Male tiger tragically killed in snare meant for deer in Tamil Nadu's Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve

A male tiger was discovered dead in the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) in Erode district, Tamil Nadu, after getting ensnared in a trap intended for deer. The majestic creature endured a slow and agonizing death, struggling without food and water for an unknown number of days.

Forest officials could not ascertain the precise time the tiger became trapped in the snare or the duration of its suffering due to the decomposed state of the carcass. However, investigations later revealed that the trap, originally set for poaching deer, claimed the life of this approximately six-year-old tiger.

This heartbreaking incident marks the fourth tiger death in Tamil Nadu this year and the second within the confines of the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve.


In connection with the tiger's demise, forest officials took swift action and apprehended seven villagers, one of them being a minor, believed to be habitual offenders. The six adults were presented before a court in Sathyamangalam on Friday and subsequently incarcerated, while the 17-year-old boy was sent to an observation home.

According to the authorities, the seven-member gang hailing from Sujilkottai had set up the deadly snare fashioned from motorcycle brake wires to catch deer and wild boar near the forests of Komarathur in the Kothamangalam forest range of STR about 20 days prior to the tragic discovery of the tiger.

This unfortunate incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced in preserving the wildlife and habitats within the region, prompting a call for stricter measures against poaching and illegal traps.