VALPOI: In a latest development into the tiger deaths, 14 claws of first tiger, which was found dead, were recovered in the Sateri Temple premises in Golavali on Tuesday morning.

According to temple priest, at around 11 am, when he entered in the temple hall, he saw a plastic bag and was shocked to find the missing tiger claws in it. He immediately informed the Forest Department. 

The forest officials and the Valpoi Police personnel visited the site with a special dog squad. After the panchanama, the Forest Department officials took the claws in their custody. 

When asked as to who had kept the missing tiger nails in the village temple, the forest officials feigned ignorance. “We have conducted the panchanama and further investigation is on”, they informed.

“During the panchanama on the first tiger, which was found dead in the wildlife sanctuary in Golavali, we found the claws missing. However, now we have recovered the same in the Sateri Temple premises in Golavali and that too in a plastic bag. Further investigation is underway,” Investigation Officer Nandakumar Parab said.