NTCA autopsy reveals cardio-respiratory failure in Bandhavgarh Tiger death, overdose theory ruled out

BHOPAL: A special team of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), which conducted a second autopsy on the tiger found dead inside a house in the buffer zone of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve after it killed a woman and injured three villagers, has reportedly concluded that the animal died of cardio-respiratory failure linked to extreme stress, while ruling out allegations of a tranquiliser drug overdose, say sources.The tiger had sparked panic in the village on May 24 after attacking residents before it was found dead during a rescue operation. Questions were raised after allegations surfaced that the animal may have succumbed to an overdose of immobilisation drugs administered during efforts to capture and relocate it.However, sources familiar with the findings said the NTCA team has reportedly ruled out the overdose theory, indicating that the tiger was already dead before it was darted.Officials associated with the inquiry said the tiger was likely under severe stress after being surrounded by hundreds of villagers during the incident. They said the animal may also have been thirty and hungry, which could have aggravated its condition and behaviour before it collapsed.The second autopsy was conducted on Monday at the State Wildlife Forensic Health (SWFH) facility in Jabalpur after scrutiny intensified over the circumstances surrounding the tiger’s death. The examination was carried out by a panel of three veterinarians in the presence of an NTCA representative, senior Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve officials, the Director of SWFH, and veterinary pathology experts from Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University (NDVSU), Jabalpur.Before beginning the examination, the expert panel reportedly reviewed the rescue operation, including photographs and video footage of the first postmortem conducted at Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve on Sunday under standard NTCA protocol.According to sources, the second postmortem found the tiger’s skin to be rough and dry, muscles pale and dehydrated, and the gastrointestinal tract empty. Vital organs reportedly showed haemorrhagic changes and congestion, findings experts are linking to severe physiological stress and cardio-respiratory collapse.Importantly, no visible haemorrhage was reportedly found in the right shoulder muscle at the darting site. Experts said this suggests the tranquiliser dart was administered after death, as living tissue would normally show bleeding or tissue reaction.Officials said tissue and organ samples from all major organs have been preserved for toxicology and forensic analysis to scientifically establish the exact cause of death. While the final laboratory report is awaited, preliminary findings have reportedly ruled out the possibility of tranquiliser overdose.The entire autopsy process was photographed and videographed to ensure transparency.