Statements Change; but is the Tiger Same?

The question in everyone’s mind; still unanswered! With each passing day, the Maharashtra Forest Department changes its statement; sometimes admitting that the tiger they killed was not the true man-eater and at another moment they would strongly feel that the Talodhi man-eater is dead.
The incident took place in Talodhi village near Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, where a man-eating tiger (tiger or tigress?)had been creating havoc, which was finally gunned down on 30th November ’07 following an order passed by the Principal Chief ‘Conservator’ of Forests (PC’C’F). The reason for putting the word conservator in single quotes is clear. At a stage where the world is battling to protect the tiger, curb man-animal conflict; our dear PCCF…oops! PC’C’F has found a new solution to this crisis. PC’C’F- inspired by Corbett, eh? But let me tell you, situations have changed now and this solution will take us nowhere.
Moving on to the next flaw in the issue- the incorrect sex determination. Earlier the tiger was supposed to be a female. A photograph taken using camera trapping methods revealed a tigress with prominent mammary glands. But after the tiger was shot dead, it was found to be a male! So now the big question; has the forest department killed the right one or not?? To this the forest department on the day of the killing expressed conformity in having shot the right tiger. So is it that the tiger changed its sex?!? Hmmm…I’ve never heard of a sex changing tiger, have you? Well lets ask our forest officials about this unusual phenomenon. So what’s your answer, forest department?
For a few more days the forest department was rigid with its statement that the Talodhi tiger (whether the man-eater or not, no one knows!) is dead. Then suddenly came a bolt from the blue, with one of the officials claiming that the tiger which was shot dead was not the real man-eater! So what do the officials say about this ‘pseudo’ man-eater? The Deputy Chief ‘Conservator’ of Forests (Dy’C’F), Brahmapuri Forest Division admitted the change in statement saying, “The tiger was not the man-eater but a threat to humans.” A threat to human lives?!?! But why may I ask? Just because it strayed into the village? And hence the department felt the need for killing it! What a policy to follow! When the entire nation is desperately struggling to save the tiger, these people, who claim to be their real ‘protectors’ have started taking steps which endanger its existence even more! Utterly shameful! Disgraceful comment, Mr. Dy’C’F!
If this much was not enough, another twist in the tale was added on 6th December ’07 when the Veterinary Doctor who performed the post-mortem of the tiger (which was supposedly a ‘threat to humans’) charged the forest department of tampering with a key tiger sample. The Vet claimed that the officials had interchanged the samples which had wild boar’s flesh and hair with bullock’s meat and paddy grass. All this to support their earlier claim, that the tiger had killed and eaten a bullock, hence posing a threat to humans lives! Nothing much surprising because everything from tiger numbers to other important data related to forests are all manipulated by the forest department! So this one does not shock me. All I have to say is, “Good presence of mind, department!”
Next, and the last of all the surprises till today was the killing of another villager by a tiger! What next forest department? Another shoot at sight order?
So before the forest department sets off to commit another crime, we- the people, the citizens of this country must all awaken together to Mother Nature’s call for help and save our National Animal from the clutches of its so called ‘protectors’!