Kolkata: For the first time in four years, a Bengal tiger was found dead in the protected space of the Sunderbans in West Bengal on Monday. While reports have suggested that the majestic cat may have fallen prey to a deer trap set up by poachers, officials with the forest department are yet to confirm whether the tiger's death was caused by poaching or not. The last time an unnatural tiger death was reported in the region was in 2008 when a tiger's body, with two bullet injuries in its head, was found floating along the Jhila river.
Speaking to media personnel, a senior official with the West Bengal State Forest Department said that a wire snare was found around the tiger's waist which has led Rangers to believe that the big cat may have mistakenly stepped on a deer trap. The animals' carcass was reportedly found inside compartment 1 of Ajmalmari under the South 24 Parganas forest division. Meanwhile, another official maintained that the sex and age of the tiger could not be determined since the carcass had been decomposing for over 15 days at the time it was discovered by rangers.
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