Bengaluru/Shivamogga: Days after a tiger’s lifeless body was discovered in the backwaters of Ambaligola reservoir in Sagar taluk, Karnataka’s Forest Minister, Eshwar Khandre, has called for a thorough investigation, demanding a detailed report within ten days.

The carcass, belonging to a 7-8-year-old tiger, was found in an area with no known tiger presence, raising suspicions among foresters and conservationists. The postmortem examination revealed a pellet wound on the lower neck, suggesting the big cat was shot—possibly in Shettihalli or Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary—before being dumped in the reservoir.

Acknowledging concerns, Khandre has instructed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) to lead the probe. Local conservationists argue that the postmortem was rushed and violated National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) protocols, as it lacked the presence of a tiger biologist. Moreover, they claim no official photographs of the tiger were released.

Experts are urging forest officials to identify the tiger by matching its stripe pattern with the Bhadra Tiger Reserve database. Meanwhile, suspicions deepen after another tiger carcass, this time fitted with a radio collar, was found in Hassan district’s Ranganathapura lake—another area with no recorded tiger movement.

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