Two tiger cubs were allegedly poached and mutilated in the Shyampur range of the Haridwar Forest Division in Uttarakhand, with forest officials confirming that their legs were severed after death.
Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Vivek Pandey said one accused, identified as Fammi, a 37-year-old resident of a Van Gujjar settlement in compartment number nine of the Shyampur range, has been arrested and sent to jail, while two others, Ashiq and Juppi, are absconding.
Pandey said forest officials recovered the remains of tiger cubs, aged around one year, one male and one female, on the night of May 19. A partially eaten buffalo carcass was also found near the site where the cubs’ remains were discovered.
According to officials, the cubs are suspected to have died after consuming poisoned meat from the buffalo carcass, which may have been used as bait.
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Forest officials said the cubs’ mother was not found at the site, and search operations have been launched to trace her in the surrounding forest area.
During interrogation, the arrested accused allegedly told investigators that two other men, identified as Ashiq and Juppi, were also involved in the crime. Raids are being conducted to apprehend them.
Officials also pointed out that a similar incident had taken place nearly a decade ago in the Shyampur range, when members of the Van Gujjar community were allegedly involved in the killing of a tigress after it preyed on livestock.
The Shyampur forest area lies adjacent to the Chilla range of the Rajaji Tiger Reserve. Tigers frequently move between this corridor and adjoining forest patches, often coming into contact with Van Gujjar settlements and livestock, leading to recurring human-wildlife conflict incidents.
Forest officials said the investigation is underway and further details are awaited.
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