"We cross-checked the pattern of stripes on the skin with our database of images of tigers in Kawal Tiger Reserve and in Kagaznagar forest area. This animal was killed somewhere else, possibly in the neighbouringMaharasthra," a senior wildlife department official here said. "For a while, we were worried tiger poaching had returned to Adilabad along with tiger themselves," the official added.

The two men arrested were identified as Sudhakar, husband of sarpanch of Kethini village, and Santosh, formerly working for NREGS programme but now suspended. The reasons for his suspension were not available immediately. "The two men were riding a motorcycle when we intercepted them near Etiguda village," Bejjur forest range officer M Ram Mohan said. When caught, the duo were on their way to Kagaznagar from Gudem village oblivious of the presence of forest officials who had a tip-off that the two men were travelling with a tiger skin.

"They told us that they got the skin from a person who came from Allapalli in Maharashtra. This is something we are trying to confirm," he said.

The young tiger was possibly killed six months ago if not more. "The skin did not have any damage and is well cured and dry. There is no foul smell or residue or any other sign of damage," Ram Mohan said. "The tiger was skinned by someone very skilled in the job," he added.

It was only about two years ago that tigers returned to the erstwhile Adilabad district after they were poached out of existence in that district over a decade ago.

For many years, the Kawal Tiger Reserve did not have a single tiger, until three tigers in search of new territories made their way down from the well-protected tiger reserves in Maharashtra where the animal's numbers have been growing over the years. Currently, in addition to the three tigers in the reserve, the Kagaznagar forest area, that serves as a forest corridor for animals moving towards Kawal, is home to a tigress with four cubs, with reports of three more adult tigers roaming in the area.