Male tiger killed by train in Tamil Nadu near Shengottai
The forest department has registered an offence and launched a probe after a four to five-year-old tiger was run over by a train.
A male tiger aged between four and five years was killed by the Palakkad-Thoothukudi Palaruvi Express near Shengottai early on Wednesday, according to The New Indian Express. The incident occurred on the tracks between Bhagavathipuram and Poolankudiyiruppu.
District Forest Officer (DFO) R Rajmohan said forest personnel received information about the incident around 3.30 am. The tiger had sustained injuries to its head in the collision.
The DFO stated that the tiger may have arrived from the Courtallam forest range in Kerala, which is just 1 km away from the spot. A team will visit the neighbouring state to examine CCTV footage to check this possibility.
An autopsy was conducted at the spot in the presence of representatives from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the chief wildlife warden. Forest department veterinarians Dr Manoharan, Dr Santhakumar, and local veterinarian Dr Sivakumar from Puliyarai performed the examination.
Following the autopsy, the tiger's carcass was cremated at the site in the presence of officials. DFO Rajmohan said the particular stretch of railway track has not witnessed any major animal deaths, including elephants, previously.
To prevent such accidents, Rajmohan has written to the Railways seeking a reduction in the night speed limit from 60 to 30 kmph. He has also instructed forest personnel to regularly patrol the stretch at night.