the goan I network
VALPOI
When locals of Golavali-Sattari invoked divine intervention at the local temple a week ago to locate the missing claws of the tiger found dead on January 5, their prayers appeared to have been answered when a bag containing the missing tiger claws were left at the temple on Monday night.
The claws had been missing since the tiger was found dead near the Siddheshwar cave in Golavali, initially sparking off speculation that poachers may have killed the tiger for its body parts, which had a huge demand in the international market.
The theory was immediately ruled out when five locals were later arrested on charges of having poisoned to death four tigers.
While investigations were being conducted into the four tiger deaths, a special team had been directed to investigate into the missing claws.
About a week ago, locals had performed a pooja to invoke divine intervention of the missing tiger claws, as the killing four critically endangered tigers had brought shame to the village.
On Monday night, a bag containing the tiger claws were left at the local temple in Golavali and the bag was noticed when the poojary Demgo Khot had gone to the temple to perform pooja.
Locals were then alerted about the suspicious bag and they reported the matter to forest officials.
A forest team led by ACF Nandakumar Parab and Range Forest Officer Vilas Gawas rushed to the site and found the missing tiger claws.
A police dog squad was pressed into service with the assistance of a police team led by Valpoi PI Shivram Vaigankar, but the dogs were
