Chief conservator of forest (Amravati) Mohan Jha said: "All body parts of this six-year-old animal are intact. So, there is no poaching angle. It died five-six days ago. We found two porcupine spines four inch deep in its pelvic region. That appears to have caused a lot of bleeding. Post-mortem report will come in a day or two."

Kishor Rithe, president of Satpuda Foundation and member of National Board for Wildlife, said: "Attacks on livestock have been reported in the said area. Probably this was the same animal.

"A proposal is pending with the state government to declare 80 sq km of Mahendri forest a sanctuary. Because of delay in the declaration we have lost a precious tigress."