The body of the Royal Bengal Tiger being taken to Jaldapara for post-mortem.

Mysterious death of a Royal Bengal Tiger

COOCH BEHAR, June 18: A full-grown Royal Bengal Tiger was found dead beside the railway line near Dolong Tea Estate between Ghoksadanga and Falakata this morning. The area falls under Purba Salmara village of Mathabhanga sub-division. The length of the tiger is eight-feet and six-inch including its tail.

Soon after receiving the information senior forest officials from Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri including Cooch Behar DFO (Social Forestry) Mr Apurba Sen and Range Officer Mr Rahul Mukherjee rushed to the spot. A large contingent of police force was also deployed there. Examining the body the forest officials identified deep injury marks on its face. It is suspected that the tiger was knocked down to death by a train last night. To ascertain the actual cause of its death the body was sent for post-mortem to Jaldapara.

Forest department sources said that the Royal Bengal Tiger appeared there probably from nearby Jaldapara or Chilapata sanctuaries. Since it was found adjacent to the railway line with deep wound on its face it is believed that it was knocked down to death by any train. A probe started into the matter.

It may be mentioned here that a number of elephants, bison and other animals were mowed down by speeding trains in Dooars region on previous occasions, but death of a Royal Bengal Tiger caused by a train is unheard till now. []