Haridwar Forest Officials Probe Poisoning And Mutilation Of Two Tiger Cubs

A suspected wildlife poaching operation involving poisoned bait has led to the deaths of two tiger cubs in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar forest division, alarming forest authorities and conservationists. The carcasses of a male and female tiger cub, both believed to be around two years old, were recovered from the Shyampur Range within 24 hours of each other, with officials alleging that poachers severed their paws after the animals died from consuming poisoned meat.

The first carcass was discovered during a routine search operation on Sunday evening in the Sajanpur Beat area of the Shyampur compartment. According to forest officials, the male cub’s paws had been removed, although its skin and teeth remained intact. Authorities suspect the accused intended to return later to extract additional body parts for illegal wildlife trafficking networks. A buffalo carcass found near the site is believed to have been used as bait in the operation.

Swapnil Anirudh, Divisional Forest Officer of Haridwar, said preliminary investigations indicate that the buffalo carcass had been laced with poison after being hunted by the mother tigress. The tiger cubs allegedly consumed the contaminated meat and died shortly afterward. On Monday afternoon, officials recovered the second carcass, identified as the female cub, from a nearby area. Forest teams have also launched a large-scale search operation for the missing tigress, whose whereabouts remain unknown.

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Authorities have arrested a local Van Gujjar resident identified as Alam alias Fammi in connection with the case, while three additional suspects are still absconding. One of the wanted individuals has been identified as Aamir Hamza alias Miyan. Investigators believe the accused planned to return under cover of darkness to dispose of the carcasses and harvest additional body parts for sale in the illegal international wildlife trade, but forest officials intervened following a tip-off.

Forest officials described the case as particularly disturbing because wildlife poaching incidents in the region have historically been linked to organized external trafficking networks rather than local residents. The alleged involvement of members of the local Van Gujjar community has raised fresh concerns among authorities responsible for protecting wildlife corridors around the Haridwar forest division. Officials confirmed that post-mortem examinations of the carcasses were conducted according to National Tiger Conservation Authority protocols.

The Shyampur Range forms a vital buffer zone connecting Rajaji Tiger Reserve with populated areas surrounding Haridwar and supports a significant tiger population. Forest authorities said surveillance and patrolling have been intensified across the region amid fears of additional threats to wildlife. Officials have also vowed strict legal action against everyone involved in the suspected poaching and trafficking network as investigations continue.

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