Forest Department officials on Tuesday examining the carcass of the male tiger near Kazhudhakatti stream in Amaravathy Range in Tiruppur district, a day after it was found dead.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
An adult male tiger, estimated to be about nine years old, was reportedly found dead near Kazhudhakatti stream in Amaravathy range on Monday evening by a beat patrol team.
The carcass bore external injuries caused by a confrontation with a porcupine. The swollen front limbs and a portion of the chest indicated infection caused by piercings by the quill, Deputy Director of Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Tiruppur Division, Devendra Kumar Meena, said after completion of the autopsy on Tuesday.
The quills were also found in the predator’s intestine, which, the Forest Department surmises to be the cause for reduced food intake and physical weakness and inability to hunt.
The Department conducted the autopsy and cremated the carcass in the presence of the Field Director of Anamalai Tiger Reserve S. Ramasubramanian, and representatives of non-government organisations, as per the standing operating procedures specified by the National Tiger Conservation Authority.