‘Tourist-Friendly’ Tiger Pujari Dies in Territorial Fight at Bandhavgarh, MP Tiger Toll Reaches 33

A male tiger popularly known as “Pujari” was found dead in the Khitauli range of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve , with forest officials suspecting that the big cat was killed in a territorial fight with another dominant tiger.

Officials said security personnel at the Dhamdhama camp heard loud roaring and sounds of a violent clash between two tigers around 6.30 am on Monday. Forest teams launched a search operation and later recovered the carcass in the Dhamdhama area of the reserve. Preliminary findings indicated severe injury marks consistent with a territorial battle. All body parts were found intact, ruling out poaching as the likely cause of death.

Bandhavgarh field director Dr. Anupam Sahay said the tiger was around eight to 10 years old and was believed to be wary of another dominant male identified as B1 or D1 . Local wildlife enthusiasts and social media posts claimed the tiger may have suffered fatal neck injuries during the encounter.

Pujari was widely recognised among safari visitors for his unusual habit of taking a dip in a waterhole before moving through the forest, making him one of the reserve’s most photographed tigers. Veterinarians, elephant patrol units , dog squads and forensic teams were deployed after the carcass was discovered, while the area was sealed for investigation under National Tiger Conservation Authority guidelines.

The death has pushed Madhya Pradesh’s tiger death count this year to 33 tiger deaths . Conservation experts say increasing tiger numbers in Bandhavgarh have intensified territorial conflicts, prompting authorities to strengthen wildlife corridors linking Bandhavgarh with Sanjay and Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla reserves to ease pressure on habitats.