Mysuru: A 8-year-old tiger was found dead in the Bandipur–Nagarahole landscape in the Kalahalla range of Nagarahole on Saturday. The forest officers say that the tiger succumbed to its injuries in a territorial fight.

Park Director H.C. Kantharaj said that the tiger which was found dead near Moorkal had deep wounds on its face while two of its canines were worn out and one of them was broken. Hence there were sufficient indications of a ferocious fight with another male.

Kantharaj said, “The fight is suspected to have taken place on Friday night and we are trying to locate the other tiger as it may not survive. If found, it will be tranquilised for treatment before being released.”

The fight must have been a long one given the size of the tiger also the other cat must have sustained sever wounds given the blood stains in the vicinity, he added.

Several tiger death cases have been reported in the park. The number of territorial fights in the park is increasing as it has reached its carrying capacity and may need more buffer to absorb the spill-over tiger population.