Despite being a Tiger state, the state of Madhya Pradesh is still grappling with an alarming loss of tigers, with another large cat killed in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve under mysterious circumstances being reported.
The carcass of a young Tiger aged 4-5 years was found in the Manpur Buffer Zone inside the Manpur Beat of the reserve. This accident brings the number of tiger deaths in Madhya Pradesh this year to 10, leading to heightened worries amongst wildlife conservationists and forest officials.
A massive search operation by forest department teams quickly took place on the site, with the help of a dog squad and metal detectors, searching for any evidence to aid in identifying the cause of death or to exclude foul play.
According to officials all the protocols were followed as per the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). As per protocol, post mortality examination was carried out before the cremation of the tiger remains.
Viscera samples were also taken and submitted to a special laboratory for detailed scientific examination during the examination. But the exact cause of the tiger’s death will only be known after it receives a forensic report and lab tests, forest officials said.
The incident has added to the saga of tiger conservation in Madhya Pradesh, where one of the largest populations of tigers in India are seen. Wildlife officers are still investigating the cause of death, which could be due to natural causes, poisoning, territorial dispute or any form of illegal action.