EDITORIAL 2: Why every tiger carcass needs an autopsy
Context
A forest guard, a forest ranger assistant, and six forest staff members have been arrested for allegedly burning the carcass of a tiger in a bid to hide the animal’s death at Lalbarra range in Madhya Pradesh’s Balaghat district.
Why is it necessary to report the discovery of a tiger carcass?
- This is important as it allows officials to conduct a forensic investigation of the tiger carcass.
- It’s vital to inform the senior officials so that a forensic examination is conducted to see if it was a case of poaching. If the cause of death is found to be unnatural, it is treated as a case of poaching, especially when the carcass is of a protected animal such as a tiger.
- This helps authorities take the required steps to curb, if any, incidents of poaching.
- A forensic investigation of the carcass also allows authorities to ascertain if an infection has killed a tiger. This is crucial to limit the number of deaths in case there is an outbreak of a disease.
- Officials check if the death has been caused due to territorial fighting among tigers. Such efforts help conserve the tiger population.
What happens after the discovery of a tiger carcass?
- The main responsibility for managing the spot lies with the divisional forest officer, the range officer, and the assistant conservator of the forest.
- The field staff have to immediately inform their field director and call for an investigation team to reach the spot. In case of seizures and arrests, at least two independent witnesses are also expected to be roped in.
How does the investigative team work at the spot?
- The spot is cordoned off with a tape or a rope. Officials take the area’s pictures and videos from different angles for comparison. The area is also divided into grids to collect evidence and details such as animal/human/tyre marks of vehicles.
- The investigation team notes the time and date of the carcass’s discovery, and the GPS location of the spot.
- If preliminary evidence points to fighting between animals, then wildlife officials examine the area to look for a trail of animals.
- However, if there is a suspicion of poaching, the investigation team looks for external evidence from the carcass, like wounds, bullet injury/marks, and symptoms of poisoning.
What are the samples collected from the spot?
- As per the NTCA guidelines, investigators should collect blood samples, body fluids, tissues, and hair/fur/teeth/bone pieces, among others.
- Other items — such as gun powder, cloth fibre, paint chips, cartridge case, bullets, footprints, etc. — found at the sport should also be collected.
- Samples are put in separate transparent polythene bags, and they should be properly labelled with exhibit numbers and descriptions.
What are some of the precautions taken during postmortem?
- The post mortem should ideally be conducted near the site of discovery, and vital samples of visceral content and tissue be collected for examination at a later stage.
- The post-mortem has to be conducted in daylight in the presence of representatives from the NTCA, the chief wildlife warden, and a local NGO. All stakeholders are invited for more transparency in the process.
- The final postmortem report is sent to the chief wildlife warden and NTCA.
How do officials dispose of the carcass?
- The carcass is incinerated in the presence of a field director or any authorised officer not below the rank of deputy conservator of forests.
- While incinerating the carcass, the sequence must be photographed and video recorded.
- Before leaving the site, it must be ensured that the whole carcass, including bones, is fully burnt.
- After ensuring the complete incineration of the carcass, a ‘panchnama’ (memo) is prepared and signed by the post-mortem team and the officer in-charge.
Conclusion
Overall, the examination helps determine if the animal’s death took place due to natural causes or criminal activities, such as poaching and illicit logging.