15 tigers were killed earlier this year

Poaching in India is nothing new but this is the first time a wildlife officer has been murdered.

Wildlife experts say the animal population in Corbett, including tigers and elephants, has shown an alarming decline in the past two years.

Earlier this year at least six elephants and fifteen tigers were killed in the park.

In February the government deployed paramilitary troops to track down poachers but none was caught.

Poaching is a lucrative business.

Tiger parts fetch a huge price in China and Korea, where they are used for medicinal purposes.

Ivory too fetches $250 for one kilogram.

An official census recently conducted in Corbett Park revealed an alarming fall in wildlife numbers.

Tigers - supposed to be India's most protected animal - have shrunk from 130 to less than 100.

The number of elephants in Corbett has fallen from nearly 500 two years ago to 400.