30 January 2009

Early this morning, acting on information supplied by WPSI, the Uttarakhand Forest Department raided a location in Fatehpur Range, Ramnagar Division, adjoining Corbett Tiger Reserve and seized a tiger skin, a tiger skeleton, one spring trap and wooden lathis. WPSI personnel assisted in the raid. Two poachers were arrested and four others are absconding.

The unfortunate tiger, which is believed to be a female, was allegedly killed in Fatehpur Range using a steel trap. After the tiger was caught in the trap it was allegedly beaten to death by the poachers using wooden lathis.

The raid was a joint operation of the Uttarakhand Forest Department, the Haldwani Police and WPSI. Three Forest Department divisions were involved and the operation was led by Mr P.C Arya, Sub Divisional Officer of the Terai West Division. Officers from the Terai Central Division and Ramnagar Division were also present.

According to the latest tiger estimation report, Corbett Tiger Reserve has one of the largest tiger populations in India, so it should come as no surprise that the area is being targeted by poachers. WPSI wildlife crime database has reports of 28 tigers that were killed by poachers in 2008.