Tigress dies in Chandrapur after attacking forest guard

Chandrapur: A tigress identified as T-84 died under unexplained circumstances in an agricultural field near Ratnapur village in Sindewahi taluka on Sunday, shortly after a large crowd surrounded the animal. Earlier, the tigress attacked a forest guard, leaving him seriously injured, after he stepped in to prevent harm to villagers. Forest officials said the incident occurred around 12.30 pm in Ratnapur beat under Navargaon round of Sindewahi forest range in Brahmapuri Forest Division. The tigress was spotted moving through a maize field, drawing villagers to the site. As the crowd swelled, the animal reportedly turned aggressive and attempted to charge. Moments after attacking forest guard Parekar, the tigress retreated and mysteriously collapsed in the field. When it failed to move, forest staff approached cautiously and found it dead at around 1pm, raising questions about sudden nature of its death.Senior officials, including deputy conservator of forests Kumar Swami and RFO Anjali Sayankar, along with representatives of NTCA and PCCF representatives Bandu Dhotre and Yash Kayarkar, reached the spot. A panchnama was conducted, and the tigress was estimated to be 9–10 years old.The carcass was shifted to central timber depot in Sindewahi, where veterinarians conducted an autopsy. However, exact cause of death could not be immediately determined. Experts suspect shock possibly linked to electrocution or poisoning, but said confirmation will depend on forensic analysis. Viscera samples have been sent for examination.DCF Bramhapuri Swami claimed the cause of death will be ascertained only after receipt of forensic report. The DCF maintained the forest guard injured in the attack is out of danger. The tigress was later incinerated following protocol.