BHOPAL: A ballistic report on the tiger found dead in the Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary near Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh has confirmed that the animal was shot at close range, with bullets pumped into its skull, marking what could be the first such reported case of poaching in which the tiger was chased and killed with a bullet directly into its head.
This confirmation has escalated the investigation into the tragic poaching incident, with wildlife experts and authorities now acknowledging the severity of the case.
Wildlife activist Ajay Dubey, who was the first to raise an alarm about the suspected poaching, had received direct inputs from his field sources regarding illegal hunting activities in the Ratapani area. "The ballistics report supports my concerns. I was confident in the information I received from my source, but now I am more worried about his safety as he has not been reachable for the last three days," Dubey told TOI.
The ballistics report has confirmed the presence of multiple gunshot wounds on the tiger’s skull, suggesting a close-range execution. Sources said the tiger suffered penetrating head trauma from bullets, which appears to have caused its immediate death. The report revealed that the wounds included a 12mm x 5mm injury to the left nasal bone, a 5mm wound to the right eye socket, and a 3.2mm wound to the lacrimal bone, indicating the use of a firearm at very close range.
Bhopal Range Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF), Rajesh Khare, confirmed that the ballistic report was indeed positive, but declined to provide further details on the investigation. "Yes, the report is positive. But I cannot open up our investigation details at this moment," Khare stated.
Meanwhile, APCCF (wildlife), L Krishnamurthy, assured that the case is being closely re-examined, and experts from the Special Tiger Strike Force (STSF) will assist in the investigation. "We will take strong action once we have all the facts," Krishnamurthy said.
The tiger’s carcass was found on July 14 in the Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary, about 25 kilometers from Bhopal. Initial suspicions of poaching were raised when the post-mortem revealed four distinct wounds on the skull. Three of these wounds appeared consistent with gunshot trauma. Investigators noted that these injuries were located in critical areas of the tiger’s skull, confirming suspicions that the tiger was shot at close range.
Despite the difficult conditions of the investigation, with the carcass compromised by rainwater and the lack of physical evidence such as bullet fragments, metal detectors were used to search the site, but no bullets or pellets were recovered.
On July 20, two suspects, Nafeez and Shakeel, were arrested from Murar village near the sanctuary, and two guns were seized from them. However, they have not yet been charged in connection with the tiger’s death, and they recently secured bail from the high court. The forest department is awaiting further forensic evidence before proceeding with any formal charges.
An analysis of WhatsApp messages obtained by investigators suggests that the suspects had been hunting in the Ratapani area prior to the tiger’s death. With Murar village located just 2 km from the sanctuary, investigators are now focusing their efforts on this area. There is growing concern that the poaching syndicate involved is well-equipped with sophisticated firearms and technology, and it is suspected that the poaching activity in Ratapani has been ongoing for some time.
Ajay Dubey, a vocal advocate for wildlife protection, has called for an in-depth investigation. "The poaching syndicate is organized and well-equipped. I have credible information that more tigers have been shot dead in the region," Dubey stated, emphasizing that the mobile phones of the suspects should be seized to gather more data. "I was told that those involved had filed hunting reports, and this needs to be thoroughly examined," he added.
The killing of this tiger has raised serious alarms within the wildlife conservation community, and the investigation is now a top priority for the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department.
Ratapani Tiger Reserve: A lost opportunity?
In 2022, former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had expressed his willingness to declare Ratapani as a tiger reserve, contingent on the support of local communities. However, despite this, no significant progress has been made in that direction. Dubey expressed frustration over the delay, which he believes has allowed illegal activities, such as poaching, to thrive in the area. "The lack of official recognition for Ratapani as a tiger reserve has made it an easy target for poachers," he said.
Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary has not yet been officially notified as a tiger reserve, despite receiving an in-principle approval from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) back in 2008. The sanctuary, which spans over 890 square kilometers in the Bhopal-Raisen forest division, possesses all the necessary characteristics and resources to support a healthy tiger population.
The delay in granting Ratapani official tiger reserve status has raised concerns among wildlife experts, as it has resulted in a lack of the proper protections that could prevent poaching. Local residents, who understand the importance of conserving the area, have been vocal about the need to expedite the process of official designation.
As the investigation into the tiger's death continues, authorities are under increasing pressure to uncover the full extent of the poaching syndicate operating in the region and take decisive action to protect the endangered wildlife of Ratapani.
This confirmation has escalated the investigation into the tragic poaching incident, with wildlife experts and authorities now acknowledging the severity of the case.
Wildlife activist Ajay Dubey, who was the first to raise an alarm about the suspected poaching, had received direct inputs from his field sources regarding illegal hunting activities in the Ratapani area. "The ballistics report supports my concerns. I was confident in the information I received from my source, but now I am more worried about his safety as he has not been reachable for the last three days," Dubey told TOI.
The ballistics report has confirmed the presence of multiple gunshot wounds on the tiger’s skull, suggesting a close-range execution. Sources said the tiger suffered penetrating head trauma from bullets, which appears to have caused its immediate death. The report revealed that the wounds included a 12mm x 5mm injury to the left nasal bone, a 5mm wound to the right eye socket, and a 3.2mm wound to the lacrimal bone, indicating the use of a firearm at very close range.
Bhopal Range Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF), Rajesh Khare, confirmed that the ballistic report was indeed positive, but declined to provide further details on the investigation. "Yes, the report is positive. But I cannot open up our investigation details at this moment," Khare stated.
Meanwhile, APCCF (wildlife), L Krishnamurthy, assured that the case is being closely re-examined, and experts from the Special Tiger Strike Force (STSF) will assist in the investigation. "We will take strong action once we have all the facts," Krishnamurthy said.
The tiger’s carcass was found on July 14 in the Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary, about 25 kilometers from Bhopal. Initial suspicions of poaching were raised when the post-mortem revealed four distinct wounds on the skull. Three of these wounds appeared consistent with gunshot trauma. Investigators noted that these injuries were located in critical areas of the tiger’s skull, confirming suspicions that the tiger was shot at close range.
Despite the difficult conditions of the investigation, with the carcass compromised by rainwater and the lack of physical evidence such as bullet fragments, metal detectors were used to search the site, but no bullets or pellets were recovered.
On July 20, two suspects, Nafeez and Shakeel, were arrested from Murar village near the sanctuary, and two guns were seized from them. However, they have not yet been charged in connection with the tiger’s death, and they recently secured bail from the high court. The forest department is awaiting further forensic evidence before proceeding with any formal charges.
An analysis of WhatsApp messages obtained by investigators suggests that the suspects had been hunting in the Ratapani area prior to the tiger’s death. With Murar village located just 2 km from the sanctuary, investigators are now focusing their efforts on this area. There is growing concern that the poaching syndicate involved is well-equipped with sophisticated firearms and technology, and it is suspected that the poaching activity in Ratapani has been ongoing for some time.
Ajay Dubey, a vocal advocate for wildlife protection, has called for an in-depth investigation. "The poaching syndicate is organized and well-equipped. I have credible information that more tigers have been shot dead in the region," Dubey stated, emphasizing that the mobile phones of the suspects should be seized to gather more data. "I was told that those involved had filed hunting reports, and this needs to be thoroughly examined," he added.
The killing of this tiger has raised serious alarms within the wildlife conservation community, and the investigation is now a top priority for the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department.
Ratapani Tiger Reserve: A lost opportunity?
In 2022, former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had expressed his willingness to declare Ratapani as a tiger reserve, contingent on the support of local communities. However, despite this, no significant progress has been made in that direction. Dubey expressed frustration over the delay, which he believes has allowed illegal activities, such as poaching, to thrive in the area. "The lack of official recognition for Ratapani as a tiger reserve has made it an easy target for poachers," he said.
Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary has not yet been officially notified as a tiger reserve, despite receiving an in-principle approval from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) back in 2008. The sanctuary, which spans over 890 square kilometers in the Bhopal-Raisen forest division, possesses all the necessary characteristics and resources to support a healthy tiger population.
The delay in granting Ratapani official tiger reserve status has raised concerns among wildlife experts, as it has resulted in a lack of the proper protections that could prevent poaching. Local residents, who understand the importance of conserving the area, have been vocal about the need to expedite the process of official designation.
As the investigation into the tiger's death continues, authorities are under increasing pressure to uncover the full extent of the poaching syndicate operating in the region and take decisive action to protect the endangered wildlife of Ratapani.
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