Chandrapur: A full grown tiger was found dead in Bhadrawati range late on Thursday evening. Forest officials have ruled out poaching and suspect that the tiger has died of old age.
Sources claimed the male tiger was around 14 years old and was not able to hunt properly.
The carcass was found in compartment number 210 near Chiprala village during routine patrolling. On getting information, a team led by in-charge RFO Rathod reached the spot and took charge of the carcass.
Later, DFO Sarita Jagtap and ACF Shriniwas Lakhmawad too visited the spot. As it had grown quite dark, it was decided to carry out post-mortem on Friday morning.
Officials have posted guards and laid camera traps around the carcass for overnight vigil.
Foresters have been keeping a close watch on the old tiger for over a year following its dwindling physical condition. “All the body parts are intact, which rules out poaching. It was a well known tiger in the area and apparently died of old age,” CCF, Chandrapur, NR Pravin told TOI.