The stripes on the tiger pelt seized along with four leopard pelts from Najibabad in Uttar Pradesh a few days ago are matching those of a tigress photographed in a camera trap in the area of Rajaji national park bordering Lansdowne forest division in the past, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau officials said on Monday.

The Rajaji field director, however, said he was not aware of this similarity having been established.

WCCB officials state that comparing the seized tiger pelt with camera trap photos has indicated that the skin belongs to a tigress photographed near Rawasan river in the Chilla range of Rajaji bordering Lansdowne forest division. This development will help investigations in other wildlife crime cases.

"Using this technique, the authorities can narrow down the area from where the wild animal was poached which, in turn, will help them zero in on the suspects. When the identity of the poached feline and the area from where it was poached are unknown, the poachers feel more secure," said a senior WCCB official on condition of anonymity.

While the Rajaji field director, SP Subudhi, said that he was not aware of such a similarity being established, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden, SS Sharma, was unavailable for comments. The State Forest and Environment Advisory Committee vice-chairman, Anil Baluni, said that the State authorities are on the trail of those involved in the crime and will arrest them soon.