The recent discovery of carcasses of two tiger cubs in Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and a tigress in Uttar Pradesh’s Kheri forest division has brought the total tiger death toll to 39 even as the third month of this year is yet to conclude.
This accounts to nearly one tiger death every alternate day, underlining the multifaceted threats confronting these majestic animals, particularly territorial fights given that out of the total deaths, majority ie 22 occurred within tiger reserves, while 17 were reported from non-protected areas. The other threats encompass habitat loss, territorial disputes, human-wildlife conflicts, poaching, and other illicit activities.
This alarming rate equates to nearly one tiger death every alternate day and highlights the various threats faced by tigers, including habitat loss, territorial fights, human-wildlife conflict, poaching, and other illicit activities. At least 22 perished inside the tiger reserves while 17 in non-protected areas. Fateh Singh Ninama, the sub-divisional forest officer from Madhya Pradesh said the carcasses of the cubs, both less than a year old, were found in separate locations within the Panpatha and Khitoli ranges of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
He said while one cub died as a result of a territorial fight, investigations are on to find the reason behind the death of another young tiger whose body was found deceased near Gadhpuri village in the Khitoli range in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve which has already lost five majestic cats till date this year.
Kanha Tiger Reserve in the State has recorded three tiger fatalities. Overall, the top tiger State i.e. Madhya Pradesh has lost 12 big royal cats so far till March 26, 2024.
In a separate incident in the South Kheri forest Division of Uttar Pradesh, a tigress was discovered dead. Sanjay Biswal, divisional officer of the South Kheri forest division, said the tigress was found dead on Monday, with all vital organs intact, suggesting no involvement of poachers.
The data shows that the royal predators have been unsafe not only in non-protected areas but also inside reserves, given that many deaths have occurred outside the tiger reserves. Overall while Madhya Pradesh reported highest tiger death at 12, followed by Maharashtra at seven fatalities while Karnataka lost five felines. Last year, a total 181 majestic cats had died as per the NTCA data while according to figures compiled by non-profit Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), India lost a record 204 tigers from January 1-December 25, 2023.
