Abstract

Large felids including the tiger (Panthera tigris) and leopard (P. pardus)are grouped in schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The population trends of both these animals are decreasing globally. While natural death among these animals may be due to old age, territorial (intraspecific) fights, trauma and injuries caused during hunting (interspecies fight) and diseases, poisoning, (both primary and secondary), as well as poaching, make up for the most common causes of unnatural deaths in wild carnivores. The exact causes of death of many of the large felid that have happened in India are reported to be still under scrutiny. Hence, it is mandatory that every single event of death among these animals is thoroughly investigated, not only to understand the cause, but also to rule out other conflict related reasons. An understanding of the mandatory regulatory provisions as well as skill in necropsy procedures is required for the veterinarian to exactly diagnose the cause of death and prepare a report that can be used to prosecute offenders in the court of law. While most veterinarians have the requisite knowledge on basic skills in necropsy techniques, he or she might not be fully aware of the additional details, including safety precautions, adherence to relevant regulations and forensic investigations that have to be followed in case of wild animals. This paper outlines the general guidelines (apart from necropsy skills) that may be followed to perform ‘forensic necropsy’ of a schedule I animal like a tiger or leopard.

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