Two More Tiger Deaths Reported in Madhya Pradesh

A tiger cub was found dead in Kanha Tiger Reserve while the carcass of another adult tiger was recovered in Balaghat district, taking the number of tiger deaths in Madhya Pradesh this year to 23, officials said.

Madhya Pradesh, which had 785 tigers according to the 2022 census — the highest tiger population in the country — has recorded nine tiger deaths since April 2, when a tiger was found dead in the forested region of Burhanpur.

Officials said the carcass of the cub, estimated to be between one and one-and-a-half years old, was discovered on Thursday evening in the Sargi area of the core zone of Kanha Tiger Reserve, which spans Mandla and Balaghat districts.

Amita B. confirmed the recovery of the cub’s body. Authorities are investigating the cause of both deaths.

The incidents have renewed concerns over wildlife conservation and tiger protection in one of India’s most important tiger habitats.