MP Tiger Deaths Continue to Rise, Kanha Cub Latest Casualty

A tiger cub was found dead in the core area of Kanha Tiger Reserve, taking the number of tiger deaths in Madhya Pradesh to 22 since January this year, officials said on Friday.

The carcass of the cub, estimated to be between one and one-and-a-half years old, was discovered in the Sargi region of the reserve on Thursday evening. According to reserve authorities, a post-mortem was conducted and the exact cause of death is awaited.

“Prima facie, the cub appears to have died of starvation, possibly due to not being fed by its mother,” a senior official said. Notably, another cub from the same litter had died just three days earlier.

Officials said the tigress had given birth to four cubs, of which two have now died. The forest department is closely monitoring the tigress and the two surviving cubs to ensure their safety.

Data from the National Tiger Conservation Authority shows that Madhya Pradesh, which has nine tiger reserves, has recorded 22 tiger deaths so far in 2026. The first such incident this year was reported on January 7 in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.

Wildlife activist Ajay Dubey expressed concern over the rising number of deaths, claiming that inadequate monitoring and patrolling could be contributing factors. He called for greater accountability among forest officials.

Dubey also pointed to a recent incident in Panna Tiger Reserve, where a decomposed tiger carcass was reportedly discovered nearly 20 days after its death, raising questions over surveillance mechanisms in protected areas.

The increasing number of tiger deaths in the state, which is home to one of the largest tiger populations in the country, has sparked concern among conservationists, who are urging stronger protection measures and improved field monitoring.