Mutilated tiger carcass found in Sonitpur, poaching suspected

Guwahati, June 12: A gruesome discovery in Assam’s Sonitpur district has triggered fresh concerns over wildlife crime after the mutilated carcass of a Royal Bengal tiger was recovered from a sandbar along the Gabharu River on Thursday.

The carcass, with its tail and all four legs severed, was found near Kochgaon under Thelamara police station, raising strong suspicions of poaching.

According to forest officials, the tiger’s body appeared to have been dumped into the river after valuable body parts were removed. The carcass is believed to have drifted downstream several days after the animal’s death before being spotted.

Divisional Forest Officer Biswa Jyoti Das said the condition of the carcass pointed towards foul play.

“The carcass seems to have drifted downstream several days after the animal’s death. However, the manner in which the body was mutilated strongly suggests foul play,” Das said.

Officials said the tiger measured approximately five feet in length. Following a post-mortem examination by veterinary experts and wildlife officials, the carcass was cremated on the banks of the Gabharu River as per wildlife disposal protocols.

The forest department has launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of death and identify those responsible.

“We suspect this to be a case of poaching. Our investigation is on to ascertain the exact cause of the tiger’s death,” a forest official said.

Samples collected during the post-mortem have been sent for forensic analysis.

The incident comes amid continuing concerns over tiger mortality across the country. According to National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) data, India recorded 126 tiger deaths in 2024 and 166 tiger deaths in 2025. Assam accounted for 12 tiger deaths in 2025.

The latest recovery is particularly alarming because the tiger’s legs and tail were removed — body parts often targeted by wildlife traffickers involved in the illegal trade of tiger derivatives.

Wildlife conservationists have called for intensified surveillance along forest fringes and riverine corridors to curb poaching and protect Assam’s growing tiger population.

Also Read: Assam, Nagaland sign landmark pact to unlock hydrocarbon reserves in disputed border areas

Also Watch

Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.

Lyngkhong fencing talks ongoing with landowners, will take up issue with Centre, says Dhar