Mysuru, 6 Oct

Karnataka Forest department officials have arrested four individuals the suspected poisoning death of a 12-year-old male tiger in Pacchedoddi, Hanur taluk of Chamarajanagar district.

The tiger’s mutilated carcass, missing its head and front limbs, was discovered in the forest on Thursday evening.

The arrested include Pacchamalla, Govindegowda, Sampu, and Ganesh, all residents of Pacchedoddi village. They were taken into custody on Saturday and brought to the Kollegal Sub-Divisional Hospital on Sunday for medical examination. Two migrant shepherds, Kambanna and Manjunath, have also been detained for questioning.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the tiger may have been poisoned in retaliation for preying on livestock. The case has raised concerns of poaching, and authorities are treating the matter seriously.

Following public outrage, State Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre ordered an inquiry into the incident and appointed PCCF Smitha Bijjur to lead the investigation. The minister directed the PCCF to probe not only this incident but also poaching cases reported over the last three years in the region’s wildlife sanctuary — which made headlines in June this year after five tiger deaths.

Minister Khandre has given the investigating officer eight days to submit a detailed report and has assured strict action against those involved in poaching and wildlife crimes.