Rajasthan loses two tigers in two days

Two male tigers have died in separate incidents in the tiger reserves of Sariska and Ranthambore in Rajasthan over the past two days, officials said on Tuesday.

A day after tiger ST-11 died after getting stuck in a snare, T-28, a 13-year-old tiger, lost its life following a failed to bid to tranquilise it in Khandar area near Ranthambore National Park.

The tiger strayed and went close to Chhan village where people surrounded him. The big cat then charged at the crowd, injuring two men. That's when forest officials decided to sedate him, only to lose the animal.

According to Chief Conservator of Forest (Sawai Madhopur) YK Sahu, "A team of the forest department tranquilised and shifted him to a forest area, but he died after some time."

Officials said there are several reasons for the feline's death. The tiger was moving towards old age. "There is also a possibility that the big cat might have died of over dose of tranquiliser."

Meanwhile, officials conducted a post-mortem on the carcass of ST-11 at the Sariska headquarters. The autopsy was done in presence of senior forest officials, Tehsildar and cops. "The tiger's viscera was taken and has been sent for further investigation," said an official.

Authorities have also booked the farmer, identified as Bhagwan Sahay, for setting up the snare which led to the death of the tiger.