Tigress carcass goes missing in Madhya Pradesh's Sonwani Sanctuary; forest staff accused of poaching cover-up surface
BHOPAL: A carcass of a poached tigress has allegedly went missing under mysterious circumstances from the Sonwani Sanctuary in Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh, triggering allegations of a cover-up and negligence by forest staff.
Sources said the carcass disappeared soon after its photo was shared on a closed Sonwani Wildlife Protection Committee's WhatsApp group on 2 August.
It is alleged that some forest staff secretly moved and burnt the carcass at three different locations between 27 and 30 July to destroy evidence of poaching.
Following an initial inquiry, the forest department suspended a forest guard and a forester, while six watchmen are under scrutiny.
Search teams from the Lalbarra and Waraseoni ranges were unable to find the carcass at the location seen in the viral photo, raising strong suspicions of poaching. A district-level probe has reportedly confirmed lapses.
Wildlife activist Ajay Dubey said he is reporting the incident to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and other regulatory bodies. 'This is an attempt to cover up poaching. Its claws were missing,' he alleged.
With over 40 tigers roaming in Sonwani Sanctuary, the incident has alarmed conservationists. Authorities said investigations are ongoing.
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