Panaji: Forest minister Vishwajit Rane on Friday ruled out the possibility of poaching in the case of the tiger death, whose carcass was found at Sacorda, Dharbandora, earlier this week. He further said the cause of death remains inconclusive due to the advanced decomposition of the carcass.TOI reported on May 8 that the postmortem examination report has been submitted by the forest department to govt. The necropsy report, prepared by a team of veterinary officers and forest officials, stated that the carcass was found in a severely decomposed condition with only partial skeletal remains intact in several parts of the body.Authorities have now sent multiple biological and forensic samples for toxicology, DNA and forensic analysis to ascertain the identity of the animal and determine whether foul play or poisoning was involved.According to the report, the carcass was discovered in lateral recumbency, with the left side of the body largely hollow and consisting mainly of skeletal structures. The skull remained intact with dried skin and tissue attached.Veterinary examiners recorded 26 whiskers and 23 teeth present, both forelimbs intact with dried skin and tissue, no visible external injuries on the forelimbs, thoracic and abdominal regions heavily decomposed and infested with maggots, sacral and coccygeal vertebrae intact, 16 nails recovered from the remains and scat found within the skeletal remains.The report noted that the musculature was “decomposed and dried,” while only “partial skeletal remains” were recoverable from the carcass.Rapid antigen testing conducted on samples collected from the buccal cavity returned negative for Canine Distemper Virus, Avian Influenza H5 and Feline Parvovirus.Officials stated that no abnormalities were detected in several organ systems that could still be examined despite decomposition.Based on morphometric measurements and dental examination, veterinarians concluded that the animal was likely an adult.Forest officials are awaiting laboratory findings before drawing conclusions regarding the circumstances surrounding the animal’s death.“Prima facie, there is no poaching angle suspected as verified the site, and no suspected objects like metal wires, bullets or traps are detected. Further, poisoning attempt is not doubted due to major scavenger activity found on the carcass. However, exact cause of death can be ascertained only after receipt of the results of toxicological and forensic analysis,” the note attached to the report states.“It is to submit that all protocols have been duly followed since locating the carcass of tiger until postmortem examination and collection of samples for forensic and toxicological examination as insisted by NTCA. Further, the officials have cordoned off the area and search operations by forest squads are still on to locate more body parts from the site and daily recoveries are sealed by drawing panchanama. Also, the sealed carcass will be kept in safe custody until receipt of final toxicological and forensic analysis reports, subject to approval of Chief Wildlife Warden, Goa,” the note states.
