Key Points

According to forest officials, the latest death has been reported from the Gundre Forest Range in Bandipur, located in Chamarajanagar district.

Authorities, based on preliminary investigation, have stated that the tigress, estimated to be between 4 and 5 years old, appears to have died of natural causes. However, the post-mortem report is awaited for confirmation.

The carcass was discovered by forest officers during a routine patrol on Friday. The post-mortem examination is scheduled to be conducted on Saturday itself. The Forest Department is yet to release an official statement on the matter.

Earlier, on Saturday the Forest and Police authorities cracked the sensational case involving the death of a tigress and her four cubs in the Male Mahadeshwara Hills forest region and arrested two persons in connection with the incident.

The arrested individuals have confessed to poisoning the meat in order to kill the tigers, claiming it was an act of revenge for the death of their cow.

The accused have been identified as Mada, also known as Maduraju, and Nagaraju. Police are also questioning three other individuals in connection with the case.

According to the accused, the tigress had killed a cow named 'Kenchi'. An angry Maduraju shared his grief with Nagaraju, and the duo decided to take revenge on the big cats by killing the tigress and her cubs.

They procured pesticide, entered the forest, and found the carcass of the dead cow, which they laced with the pesticide.

The next day, the tigress and her four cubs consumed the poisoned meat and died. Maduraju is said to have expressed happiness over the death of the tigers and even celebrated it.

Police stated that Maduraju had absconded after the deaths triggered a public outcry. He was eventually tracked down and arrested in Koppa village.

Earlier, police had taken Maduraju's father, Shivanna, into custody. In an attempt to protect his son, Shivanna falsely confessed to poisoning the tigers. Following the arrests and confession of the actual culprits, the police have now dropped Shivanna's name from the case.

Meanwhile, the government has appointed Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF) and Nodal Officer (All India Tiger Estimation) Kumar Pushkar as the head of the investigation team, replacing the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF).

The investigation team includes Chief Forest Conservator T. Hiralal, APCCF Srinivasulu, NTCA representative Malleshappa, veterinary officer of Mysuru Zoo Dr. Shashidhar, and wildlife expert and activist Sanjay Gubbi.

The unnatural deaths had come to light on Thursday.

The carcasses of the tigress and the cubs were discovered in the Meenyam forest area, within the Hoogyam range of the sanctuary.

According to sources, the tigress had killed the cow and dragged it into the forest. She and four of her cubs had partially consumed the meat. Later, the tigress and her cubs returned to the kill and died after consuming the meat that had been poisoned.

"Karnataka stands second in the country in terms of tiger population, with 563 tigers. It is deeply saddening to learn about the death of a tigress and her three cubs in a state known for its conservation efforts," Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre said.

The Male Mahadeshwara Hill Wildlife Sanctuary is spread across 906 square kilometres and is home to a variety of wildlife animals, including tigers, elephants, leopards and others.

- IANS