11 November,2026 04:42 PM IST | Gondia (Maharashtra) | mid-day online correspondent
Although preliminary findings point towards electrocution, the exact cause will be established after the forensic examination. Representational Pic/File
A four-year-old tiger was found dead in Maharashtra's Nawegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) in a suspected electrocution case, prompting forest authorities to detain a farmer and seven other people for questioning, officials said on Wednesday, reported the PTI.
The carcass of the tiger, identified as T-39, was found on Tuesday near a farm close to Bodunda village in the Thadezari beat of the reserve in Gondia district.
According to officials, the tiger is suspected to have died after coming into contact with a live electric wire allegedly laid near the farm. Forest authorities suspect that the incident took place between November 6 and 7, the news agency reported.
The carcass was discovered by a forest beat guard during routine patrolling after the official noticed a foul smell in the area.
On reaching the spot, the guard found the tiger's body with visible burn marks, raising suspicion of electrocution.
Nawegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve Deputy Field Director Pritamsingh Kodape said a preliminary assessment suggested that the tiger had died due to electrocution, according to the PTI.
Forest officials suspect that a farmer whose agricultural land is located close to the reserve's core boundary had allegedly laid a live electric wire near his field. The tiger is believed to have come into contact with the wire and died, a per the PTI.
Forest authorities have detained the farmer and seven other people on suspicion of their involvement in the incident.
Officials suspect that after the tiger died, the farmer, allegedly with the help of the others, shifted the carcass and dumped it inside the reserve's core forest area to conceal the incident, the PTI reported.
NNTR Field Director Piyusha Jagtap and other forest officials rushed to the spot after receiving information about the carcass.
The investigation is underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the tiger's death and determine the involvement of those detained.
The tiger's post-mortem examination has been completed, and samples have been sent to a laboratory for forensic analysis.
Kodape said the laboratory findings would provide further clarity on the cause of death.
Although preliminary findings point towards electrocution, the exact cause will be established after the forensic examination.
The latest incident comes months after a tiger cub was found dead inside a well in the Murdoli range of Nawegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve in July, the news agency reported.
Maharashtra is home to several tiger reserves, including Tadoba-Andhari, Melghat, Sahyadri and Nawegaon-Nagzira, which play an important role in tiger conservation in the state.
(with PTI inputs)
