the goan I network
VALPOI
It was a matter of exacting revenge over the loss of their cattle as two accused are reported to have confessed having poisoned the four tigers to death at Golavali-Sattari
While three accused are already in custody, a fourth person linked to the disposal of the tiger carcasses is likely to be detained shortly.
As part of investigations, a team of forest officers headed by ACF Nandakumar Parab and DCF Vikas Desai accompanied two of three accused, Vitho Pawane and Malo Pawane, to the site.
During interrogations, the two accused are reported to have admitted poisoning the tigers to death and burying two carcasses. The accused also led the forest team to the site where the tigers had been buried.
According to sources, the accused divulged to the forest team that one of their buffaloes had been killed by a tiger on December 30. Later at night, they put poison on the carcass of the buffalo.
On December 31, the tigers are believed to have returned to devour the buffalo carcass when they ingested the poison and died sometime later.
On noticing the four tigers dead, the accused then buried the tigress and one cub, while another tiger and the second cub were left dead at the site.
Later speaking to media
persons, a forest official confirmed that the accused had admitted to the crime.
“During investigations, the accused divulged the identity of another person involved in the disposal of the dead tigers. A fourth person will also be taken into custody for further enquiry,” said the official.
Regarding the missing claws on the tiger found dead on Sunday, the government has directed the Crime Branch to conduct a probe in the matter.
In this connection, a Crime Branch team headed by Inspector Dattaguru Sawant visited the site and conducted investigations into the missing claws.
Meanwhile, a veterinary officer on Thursday conducted the post mortem on the tiger cub which was found buried on Wednesday evening.
A report on the samples of other dead tigers which were sent for analysis at a laboratory in Dehradun are expected to be made available to forest authorities within seven days.
