An adult tiger was found dead under suspicious circumstances in the forests of Sacorda in Goa’s Dharbandora region on Saturday, with its teeth and nails missing, raising strong concerns of poaching. Forest officials confirmed that the carcass was in a partially decomposed state when discovered at Aalot, close to the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary in Mollem.
Authorities stated that the exact cause of death will only be confirmed after the postmortem report is received. However, the absence of teeth and nails—body parts often targeted in illegal wildlife trade—has led officials to suspect poaching as a possible motive. The discovery has once again highlighted the vulnerability of big cats in the region.
This is not the first such incident in the state. In 2020, a tigress and her four cubs were allegedly poisoned to death, while another tiger was killed in a trap in 2009. These recurring cases have intensified concerns among conservationists regarding the safety of wildlife in Goa.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has previously warned that Goa could become a “death trap” for tigers if stronger conservation measures are not implemented. It has recommended upgrading protected areas such as Mhadei and Mollem into a designated tiger reserve to ensure better monitoring and habitat protection.
Experts point out that increasing human activity, including infrastructure projects and habitat fragmentation in the Western Ghats, is threatening wildlife corridors. Conservationists are now urging immediate action to strengthen protection and prevent further losses of endangered species in the region.