BY A CORRRESPONDENT bureaus@gomantaktimes.com VALPOI: In a shocking incident the forest department officials on Wednesday found three more carcasses of tigers believed to have died of poisoning in the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary in Sattari taluka taking the toll of dead tigers found in the area to four. Three days after the carcass of tiger was found dead in Mhadei wild life century in Golavli village, the forest officials started combing operation in search of clues and found carcass of sub adult tigress on Tuesday evening and fully grown tigress within same locality on Wednesday morning. Same evening they found one more tiger buried of which gender could not be identified. The post-mortem examination report of first tiger which was found on Sunday had died due to suspected poisoning, The forest officials and police, who launched joint combing operation found all carcasses near the water source. It is learnt that these wild cats were of the same family as a tigress and three sub adult tigers were found dead. Forest officials opined that the incident was really unfortunate but according to them the preliminary investigation revealed the circumstantial evidence that these tigers had been poisoned. But unless and until they receive the final forensic report they were unable to come to conclusion. Animal squad member Amrut Singh told GT that it appeared to be a case of poisoning and that there was no chance of any poaching and hunting in the range of wildlife sanctuary. But asked about the claws missing from the first tiger, he said that it might be some other person who had taken out these claws but ruled out chances of poaching and hunting these endangered species. Forest department arrested three suspects namely Vitho Pawane (60), Nalo Pawane (50) and Bomo Pawane (45) on Tuesday evening and they were produced before the court, who remanded them them in two days custody. According to forest officials, two heads of cattle belonging to farmers in the area had been killed by tigers last month. Chief Conservator of Forest Santosh Kumar said, "It is a very sad event that we have found carcasses of tigers. Our investigation team is doing its job and we have taken help of a sniffer dog. We feel that this is the case of poisoning but forensic report will confirm the exact cause of death. We have also taken the help of police and have filed a police complaint also". Post-mortem of two wild cats was conducted on Wednesday by veterinary doctors and the viscera was sent for forensic investigation. The post-mortem of the fourth tiger will be conducted on Thursday morning. Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Wednesday demanded thorough investigation and stern action against those involved in the incident. "I have asked Union Ministry of Environment and Forest to hold a detailed investigation into the tiger family death and to send a specialised team to conduct the inquiry. This is a crime which is not pardonable." "Having a passion for wildlife, especially tigers, this incident in my constituency at Valpoi has taken me by shock. A thorough investigation into the matter is vital. It is very important to stop such mishaps as it is our duty to conserve and protect wildlife”, said Vishwajit.