Cub, adult tiger found dead in Kanha Tiger Reserve, Balaghat; toll rises to 23 in MP | India News
New Delhi: A tiger cub was found dead in the Kanha Tiger Reserve, while the carcass of an adult tiger was recovered from Balaghat district, pushing the number of tiger deaths in Madhya Pradesh to 23 since January this year, officials told PTI.According to officials, the cub, aged between one and a half years, was discovered on Thursday evening in the Sargi area of the reserve’s core zone spread across Mandla and Balaghat districts. Deputy director Amita B said, “The cub’s post-mortem was conducted on Friday, and we are awaiting its report (to know the exact cause of death).”He added that initially the cub might die of starvation, as it was not fed by its mother. Another cub of the same tiger died three days ago. “The tigress gave birth to four cubs, two of which died. We are closely monitoring the tigress and the remaining two cubs,” he said.In a separate incident, the carcass of a full-grown tiger was found in Balaghat North Forest Division.The state, which had 785 tigers as of the 2022 census, the highest in the country, has reported nine deaths since April 2 when a tiger carcass was found in a forest area in Burhanpur.Data from the National Tiger Conservation Authority showed that 21 tiger deaths were recorded in the state till April 21 this year. The first death of 2026 was reported on January 7 in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.“Madhya Pradesh ranks first in tiger deaths, including unnatural deaths, which is alarming,” wildlife activist Ajay Dubey told PTI and identified gaps in surveillance and patrolling.
