Two tiger deaths were reported from different wildlife areas of Madhya Pradesh on Monday, September 28. In Ratapani Tiger Reserve, forest officials recovered the badly decomposed body of a tiger near Dahod Dam and are investigating whether electrocution caused its death. In a separate incident at Kanha National Park, an 11-month-old female tiger was found dead with injuries that may be linked to a territorial confrontation with another wild animal.
Decomposed tiger carcass recovered in Ratapani
Forest officials discovered the decomposed carcass of a tiger in the vicinity of Dahod Dam inside Ratapani Tiger Reserve. Following the recovery, officials began investigating the circumstances that led to the animal’s death.
The precise cause has not yet been established. Authorities said that post-mortem and forensic examinations will be necessary to determine how the tiger died. Meanwhile, teams are inspecting the surrounding area for illegal electric fencing, exposed electrical wires or other electrified installations that could have caused the suspected electrocution.
Wildlife activist Ajay Dubey raised concerns over patrolling in the area. He alleged that insufficient monitoring could have allowed a potentially dangerous electrical trap to remain unnoticed. Dubey called for an investigation into the patrolling arrangements and also alleged that Ranger Ramgovind Rai had been absent from his duties.
As reported by IANS, Dubey alleged that electrocution traps near Dahod Dam had resulted in another tiger’s death. He called for Ranger Ramgovind Rai to be suspended and sought a detailed inquiry into the alleged absenteeism and patrolling arrangements in Ratapani.
Young female tiger dies in Kanha
The second tiger death was reported from Kanha National Park in Balaghat district. An 11-month-old female tiger was found dead in compartment No. 138 of the Naktighati beat within the Kanha range.
The carcass was located after a forest patrol team spotted pugmarks and bloodstains during its routine movement through the area. Personnel then searched the surrounding forest and recovered the tiger’s body.
Following the discovery, senior forest officials reached the site and secured the area. A dog squad was also brought in as part of the investigation, according to IANS.
Senior Wildlife Health Officer Sandeep Agrawal and veterinarian Lalit Chaurasia inspected the carcass. Their examination revealed injuries and marks that appeared consistent with a physical confrontation involving another wild animal.
Based on these injuries, veterinarians said an intra-species territorial conflict could be one possible explanation for the tiger’s death. However, this has not been conclusively established. Samples were collected and sent for forensic examination to determine the actual cause of death.
The carcass was subsequently cremated in accordance with National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) protocol. Kanha Tiger Reserve Field Director Ravindra Mani Tripathi, NTCA-nominated representative Shivangi Vendre, and other members of the cremation committee were present during the cremation.
