Highest Tiger Deaths: Fifty years after the launch of ‘Project Tiger’ to conserve and increase India’s tiger population, a tragic new record has been set. Madhya Pradesh, a state known for its tiger reserves, has reported 55 tiger deaths this year—the highest single-year toll since the project began in 1973.
This alarming figure, reported by Anand M J of The Indian Express, marks a continued rise in fatalities over the past five years. In comparison, 46 tigers died in the state in 2024, 45 in 2023, 43 in 2022, and 34 in 2021.
While officials cite natural causes like old age, territorial fights, and disease as factors, a significant and disturbing pattern has emerged. Out of the 55 deaths this year, 11 were attributed to “unnatural causes.” A majority of these were due to electrocution from illegal electric fences set up by farmers to protect their fields from wild animals.
A recent case in Sagar district of Bundelkhand highlights the issue. The body of an 8-10 year old male tiger was found near Hillgan village. While no external injury marks or blood stains were found at the scene, a post-mortem is underway. Forest officials suspect the tiger may have strayed from the Nauradehi Tiger Reserve and died from an electric shock. There is further suspicion that the carcass might have been moved after the incident.
Speaking to The Indian Express, forest department officials expressed grave concern. “The illegal electric wires being installed by farmers are proving extremely dangerous for wildlife,” an official stated. Farmers often connect wires directly to power lines to ward off animals like wild boars and nilgai, resulting in fatal shocks. These crude setups have no safety mechanisms and are increasingly killing large animals like tigers.
Taking serious note of the escalating crisis, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) V N Ambade has issued strict directives to all senior officers in the state. He emphasized that wildlife protection must be the highest priority and that no negligence would be tolerated.
This record-breaking death toll casts a shadow over conservation efforts, underscoring a critical conflict between human activity and wildlife survival that requires urgent address.
