17th Sept., 2004

A magnificent male tiger was found dead 25m off the Chimur-Warora State Highway in the Chimur Forest Range of Chandrapur District, Maharashtra on 14 September 2004. The tiger was killed about 7 km from the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, in a collision with an unknown speeding vehicle. A post mortem revealed extensive internal injuries including six broken ribs, and a ruptured kidney.

The body of the tiger was burnt on the evening of 14 September in the presence of forest officials and WPSI's Central India representative.

After the burning, two forest guards stayed behind to tend to the dying embers. They reported that at 5.45 pm a tigress started calling nearby - they said that "her long drawn out moans filled the forest". Forest guards had reported seeing two sets of fresh tiger pugmarks in the area on 9 September, and a group of villagers had briefly seen the two tigers on 6 and 7 September.

The Maharashtra Forest Department is planning to put up reflective signs asking drivers to slow down. They are also liasing with the Public Works Department to have speed breakers put up at strategic places on the road. WPSI is assisting the Forest Department.