Forest dept denies tiger poaching claims in Gautala

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Amid claims that the lone tiger at Gautala Autramghat wildlife sanctuary near Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar was killed by poachers, the forest department on Tuesday dispelled such claims.

The claims surfaced following the arrest of nine poachers found possessing body parts of wild animals — Indian jackal, wild boars, Indian gazelle, and peacocks — that were hunted in and around the sanctuary.

A section of locals, along with conservationists, claimed that poachers also hunted Walker II, the lone tiger in Gautala sanctuary, along with one leopard. Divisional forest officer for Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Mohan Naikwadi however, said claims of hunting Walker II and a leopard are unfounded. "We have the latest trap camera picture of Walker II dated feb 27. We recovered body parts of other hunted animals from poachers, but none belonged to a tiger or leopard," he said.

Forest officials said all poachers hail from Dhule and were sent to forest department's custody until March 7. Honorary wildlife warden for Jalgaon Rajesh Thombare said the poachers confessed to killing a tiger and a leopard. "There is more than what meets the eye. It is beyond comprehension why the forest authorities are denying such hunting when poachers are admitting it," he said.

When contacted, deputy conservator of forests for Jalgaon Praveen A refuted the claim that poachers confessed to killing a tiger. "We have constituted a special committee to investigate the poaching incident at Gautala sanctuary. As of now, there is no proof or record of poachers hunting the tiger," he said. The tiger, named Walker II, ventured into Marathwada from Tipeshwar wildlife sanctuary from Vidarbha in March 2021.