Gundlupet: With questions being raised at the mysterious death of Prince, the tiger of Bandipur Reserve Forest that had grown into being the star of the forest, attracting tourist in large numbers, the forest department has intensified the probe into the case.
Prince was found dead on April 2 in Kundakere area with mutilated face and intact body. Lower jaw, two teeth and tongue remained missing from the carcass leaving behind a series of questions with regard to his death.
Though the forest officials located the missing jaw, it is yet not confirmed if this jaw is of Prince or some other tiger. As of now, the samples of the hair of Prince and the jaw recovered by the forest department have been forwarded for forensic studies to ascertain if the jaw is of Prince or not.
Though the forest officials earlier said that Prince had died a natural death and that some animals may have mauled his carcass, a section of wildlife photographers and enthusiasts argued that Prince may have fallen prey to miscreants who have been hunting down animals by implanting minor explosives in pieces of meat. They said that since the carcass of the tiger had injured head, this is the only possible theory and the possibility of other animals having mauled the carcass seemed too vague.
When pressured mounted on the department, the officials took a U-turn and have now been saying that miscreants may have ventured into the forest and taken away Prince’s jaw.
Kundakere ACF Poovaiah has said that the department has taken serious note of the issue and all possible attempts are being made to book the miscreants who had executed the crime.
Meanwhile, RFO Shivananda Mugudum has opined that even death of Prince has not been confirmed. But, many say that if Prince was alive, he would have made his majestic appearance at least once.
.jpg)
