The Chief Wildlife Warden, Office of the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, has issued a clarification stating that the news item of recent tiger sightings in Goa appearing in several local dailies on October 29, 2024 are based on unfound facts.
The Chief Wildlife Warden stated that a video is under circulation on social media where a tigress and three cubs have been shown and it has been claimed that the tigress and the cubs have recently been photographed in the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary of Goa. The clarification further states that the matter has been examined and it has been found that the video is almost three years old and does not relate to the State of Goa.
In view of the recent newspaper report on tiger sightings in Goa, Office of the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, did a special recce and enquiry from local people of Chorla Ghat area and confirmed that no such sightings have been recorded in recent past. Therefore, both the reports (video with tigers and 3 cubs and that of, in newspaper) are found incorrect.
The Chief Wildlife Warden has appealed to the public not to share such unverified videos and avoid creating panic in the minds of the people. The media houses are advised to refrain from publishing such sensitive information especially about Schedule-I animals without gauging its serious implications.
