Two wild animals die in Duars forest area

Darjeeling, Feb 8 (UNI) Two wild animals- a Royal Bengal Tiger and an elephant died in the Duars forest region in the last six days.

The Forest department said the tiger (Laxmi) had been suffering from liver disease and mouth ulcer.

However, the elephant (Janardhan) which died last night, was quite well, said a forest official. The environmentalists alleged that both the animals died due to lack of treatment.

West Bengal Forest Minister Ananta Roy ordered the local forest department to conduct a thorough investigation to trace out the cause of death. He also said that he has ordered to submit the investigation report within two days.

Coochbehar Divisional Forest Officer Manindra Kumar Biswas told UNI that in 2005, 19 Royal Bengal Tigers were recovered and taken to the Khaerbari Tiger Re-habitation centre in Coochbehar.

Out of 19, four tigers were sent to the Darjeeling zoo in 2006 out of which one died.

UNI