CHAMARAJANAGAR: The Forest Department and police have arrested one more person in connection with the deaths of a tigress and her four cubs in Hoogyam range of the Male Mahadeshwara Hills wildlife sanctuary. With this, the total number of arrests has gone up to three.
The arrested are Mada a.k.a Maduraju, and Konappa of Kalabedoddi and Nagaraj of Koppa village. During questioning, they admitted to have poisoned the cow, which had been hunted by the tigress, with pesticide.
The tigress and her cubs returned to feed on the cow meat, which has been laced with phorate, and died. The trio admitted that they were angry that the tigress had hunted their cow. The tiger deaths came to light after forest watchers got foul smell in the area. Maduraju, Konappa and Nagaraj went absconding after the news broke out.
Meanwhile, questions are being raised on whether the protest by forest watchers over non-payment of salaries for three months, had contributed to the killing of the tigers as there was no foot patrolling. The forest watchers had staged a protest at the Kollegal Aranya Bhavan over non-payment of dues.
“The protest by forest watchers was mainly contractor-related. The welfare of forest watchers is important for us because without them, it is difficult to protect wildlife. We have staff shortage at the level of forest guards and foresters, but not at the level of forest watchers. At MM Hills, of the four forest guard positions, four are vacant. We have to fill these positions and increase surveillance”, said Deputy Conservator of Forests Chakrapani.
The deaths of the tigers occurred on the second day of the protest by forest watchers. Meanwhile, the arrested trio are being held at an undisclosed location where they are being questioned.
