Tiger hide that of sub-adult melanistic male: Similipal authorities

Bhubaneswar: The melanistic tiger hide that was seized by Similipal Tiger Reserve authorities on Thursday is that of a sub-adult (less than 2 years) male that was hunted close to human habitation, Similipal authorities claimed on Friday, citing the interrogation of three persons arrested in this connection.

The wildlife authorities revealed the tiger dispersed too close to human habitation and was trapped in a snare that was put up to kill a wild boar. “After the villagers (tribal) saw the tiger getting ensnared, they took advantage of it and extricated it from the trap after it died. It could be the handiwork of more than three people because taking out the skin from the tiger is not an easy job. Since it is a tiger, even if dead, it requires a skilled hand,” said Similipal field director Prakash Gogineni. Further investigation is on in this regard to nab more people involved in it, he said.

“We are sure that the tiger was from Similipal landscape. We can pinpoint with number identification as to which tiger it was once we are able to match the stripes with the database. Since it was a sub-adult tiger, there is also a possibility that we may not have the previous record unless it has been captured in camera trap. Tigers available in the wild are numbered (such as T1, T2) based on their unique stripes,” Gogineni added.

The investigation will also reveal when the tiger was last separated from its mother because tiger cubs only after attaining 2 years of age get separated and explore new territory.