KOLHAPUR: Officials of the forest department have found the carcass of a bovine animal — killed possibly by a tiger — in the recently declared Chandgad conservation reserve. They have also found tiger pugmarks in the vicinity. The forest department is currently monitoring camera traps in the Tillari, Chandgad and Amboli regions.
Clement Ben, the chief conservator of forests for the Kolhapur territory, said, “The cattle kill was found in the Chandgad conservation reserve. The hunting style — from the rear of the prey — is typical of tigers. The cattle might have been hunted around July 20. We have even found pugmarks of a tiger and are closely monitoring the corridor towards Ajara, Bhudargad and Vishalgad forest region.
Camera traps are already in place and we expect to get some images of the tiger. Increasing prey base and now the tiger pugmarks signify the importance of the conservation reserves in the Kolhapur region. The increased forest cover is allowing them a safe corridor to move around freely.”
