Baripada: A female tiger, estimated to be around five years old, was found dead in the core area of Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district, the authorities said in a press note on Saturday.

The tiger, identified as a pseudo-melanistic female, was found near the Jatiani camp in the UBK range of the Similipal South Division. Patrolling staff detected the carcass at around 5 pm on August 6, following which the spot was immediately inspected by the Field Director of Similipal Tiger Reserve.

A post-mortem examination was conducted on August 7 in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) prescribed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). A team of veterinary and wildlife experts carried out the examination.

According to the forest department, the carcass was fresh, and no injury marks or other obvious cause of death were found during the preliminary examination.

Biological samples were collected for toxicological, pathological and other laboratory tests. The samples have been sent to the Centre for Wildlife Health (CWH) at Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar, for detailed examination.

Officials said the exact cause of death will be determined after the laboratory reports are received.

After the post-mortem, the carcass was disposed of through incineration in the presence of the Field Director and other Similipal Tiger Reserve staff. The entire process, from the post-mortem examination to the reduction of the carcass to ashes, was videographed and photographed as per the prescribed protocol.

The post-mortem team included experts from Similipal Tiger Reserve, the Wildlife Trust of India, the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department, Government of Odisha, and an NTCA-nominated representative.