Villager poisons tiger to avenge bull killing, 4 arrested (Representational image)

Bhopal: A collared tiger released from the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve into the Satpura Tiger Reserve landscape was allegedly poisoned to death by a villager in revenge after the big cat killed his bull in Chhindwara district. Forest officials have arrested four people in connection with the incident.This tiger was four and a half years old and was released into the forest in December 2024. According to the forest department, a joint team of Satpura Tiger Reserve buffer staff and Sangkheda range team of West Chhindwara forest division was tracking the last known location of the radio-collared tiger since Thursday evening.During a search operation on Friday morning, the team first recovered the carcass of a bull in the forest area under revenue land near compartment P-266 and P-262 of Chhatiyam beat in Sangakheda range. Officials suspect that the animal was hunted by a tiger.A detailed search of the area with the help of dog squad led to the recovery of the tiger’s carcass, which was buried in nearby land. The body was found at around 8.30 in the morning.During initial investigation, forest officials traced the owner of the bull to a nearby village. The accused, identified as Udesingh, 50, resident of Chhatiyaam, was detained and interrogated.Officials said that during interrogation he confessed that a few days ago the tiger had killed his bull. In retaliation, he allegedly poured pesticide on the body and left it in the open. The tiger died after eating poisonous meat. He also admitted that to conceal the incident, he along with others buried the tiger’s carcass the next day.Based on his statement, three more accused were arrested. They have been identified as Bisanlal Shilu, 30, resident of Putiyam, Manohar Singh, 60, of Dob Jhirna in Babai tehsil of Narmadapuram district and Kailal, 65, resident of Kuchikhoh.APPCF (wildlife) L Krishnamurthy told TOI that villagers were being questioned for more information. ‘All its body parts are safe. But we are questioning him to verify his claims.” Forest officials said further investigation is underway to find out other aspects of the case, including the exact substance used and whether there was any pre-planning involved.Later, the body of the male tiger was cremated as per protocol in the presence of Satpura Tiger Reserve Field Director Rakhi Nanda and West Chhindwara DFO Sahil Garg.Officials said that all the accused will be presented in the court. Wildlife activist Ajay Dubey has demanded strict action against those involved.