A tiger carcass in an advanced state of decomposition was found during a routine patrol in the Thoondikkarai Pallam forest area under the Onnathittu beat of the Onnathittu section in the Thalamalai Forest Range on Tuesday.
Forest personnel informed senior officials of the Sathyamangalam Forest Division after spotting the carcass. A necropsy was conducted by the Assistant Veterinary Officer of the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve as per the standard operating procedure prescribed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
The carcass was subsequently burnt. Officials said the tiger could have died about 10 days ago and the cause of death would be known from the necropsy report.
The Forest Department has launched an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the animal’s death.
S. Gowtham, Deputy Director, Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, and District Forest Officer, Sathyamangalam Division, told The Hindu that the sex of the tiger was yet to be determined and that it was estimated to be 7-8 years old. Though its canine teeth and claws were missing, the possibility of poaching had been ruled out as the sockets were intact, he said. “It could have shed naturally,” Mr. Gowtham said.
The tiger’s skull was found about 40 metres from the carcass. The carcass was located near Bejalatti village and close to a forest stream. A search was under way in the forest area to locate the missing parts, he said.
Published – August 19, 2026 06:55 pm IST
