Royal Bengal tiger found dead in Odisha's Similipal

Baripada: The carcass of a Royal Bengal tiger was found in the Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district, an official said on Thursday.

The carcass of the male tiger, around 3.5 years old, was found near a nullah in the core area on February 5, the reserve's field director Prakash Chand Gogineni said.

During patrolling, forest guards found the carcass, and it is suspected that the death happened two days before being found, he said.

"We informed the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and principal chief conservator of forests about the incident on February 6," he said.

The post-mortem examination has been completed, Gogineni said.

Samples from the carcass were sent to different laboratories for testing, he said.

"There was no injury mark on the carcass. It is suspected that the tiger died due to natural causes. However, the exact reason behind the death will be known after getting the examination reports," he added.