PANAJI: The Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Dr Shashi Kumar has said that the forensic laboratory at Dehradun that was examining the remains of the animals sent for testing, has in its final report said that one of the samples sent for investigations was that of the tiger that was killed allegedly by some locals from Keri village in Sattari taluka.

Disclosing this, Dr Shashi Kumar said that the report received from Wildlife Institute of India has revealed that one of the seven samples sent by the forest department was that of the tiger. He said that the report was seen by him on Monday (February 8).
He further said that the forest department would continue with its investigations further, now that the report has conclusively proved that the bones were that of tiger. He said after the investigations were over the department would file chargesheet against the accused.
It may be recalled that a tiger was killed at Keri in February last year and the incident was brought to light in April after a picture of the dead tiger clicked on a mobile phone was carried in a newspaper. Locals from Keri were under scanner after the case. Four persons were arrested in this case.
The burnt animal remains were found in cashew plantation at Keri on May 31 last year by the forest department after investigation into the incident. The remains including fur, broken pieces of bones and lower jaw pieces were sent for examination. The investigation had stated that the tiger was poached at one spot and later dragged to a cashew plantation where it was burnt to destroy the evidence by the accused.