A report from Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India (WII) confirmed that the animal that was killed in the state, a year back, was indeed a tiger.
Goa forest department has maintained uncanny silence over a report from Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India (WII) which confirmed that the animal that was killed in the state, a year back, was indeed a tiger.
Highly placed sources stated that the report reached office of deputy conservator of forest GT Kumar two weeks back.
Kumar, however, talking to PTI said that "he cannot reveal anything from the report."
The tiger was poached in Keri village, 60 kms away from here in February last year.
State forest minister Philip Nery Rodrigues said that chief conservator of forest Dr Shashi Kumar who is currently out of station has telephonically confirmed receipt of the report.
"Government will get the detailed report from the department and only after that it will comment," Rodrigues said.
The minister said that the future course of action will depend on the report.
Forest department sources confirmed that the current report contradicts the preliminary findings by WII which had said that the animal remains that were sent for testing were not of a tiger.
"This time, the report clearly mentions that the animal is a tiger," the source said.
The burnt animal remains were found in cashew plantation at Keri on May 31 last year by the forest department after meticulous investigation into the incident which was brought to light by a picture clicked on mobile.
The remains including fur, broken pieces of bones and lower jaw pieces were sent for examination.
The investigation had stated that the tiger was poached at one spot and later dragged to cashew plantation where he was burnt to destroy the evidence by the accused.
Four villagers from tribal Majik community were arrested after forest department interrogated the entire village.
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