Two tigers die of electrocution in Madhya Pradesh’s Shahdol

India’s wild tiger population faces a looming crisis, with conservationists warning that at the current rate of deaths . The warning comes as two adult tigers - a male and a tigress, were found dead in Shahdol district, Madhya Pradesh on Monday, bringing the state’s alarming tiger mortality to at least 11 this year . Preliminary investigations indicate that the deaths were caused by electrocution from illegal live-wire traps , allegedly laid by farmers to protect crops from herbivores.

The tigress’s cubs , reportedly accompanying her, remain untraceable, raising fears for their survival. Forest authorities have detained several individuals , registered a case under the Wildlife Protection Act , and emphasized that the use of such traps - even if meant to deter wild boars or other animals - is illegal and fatal to wildlife .

Madhya Pradesh, home to the largest tiger population in India , recorded 55 tiger deaths in 2025 - the highest annual toll since Project Tiger was launched over half a century ago - making it the worst-hit state . Experts note that previous tiger deaths in the state were caused by electrocution, human-wildlife conflict, territorial fights, accidental deaths, and retaliatory killings , with poaching largely ruled out in recent years. Over half of 2025’s fatalities were attributed to unnatural causes , highlighting the persistent threats posed by human activity near tiger habitats.

Wildlife activist Ajay Dubey has repeatedly criticized administrative lapses in tiger conservation. He filed a petition in the Madhya Pradesh High Court , prompting notices to the Centre and the state government, with a hearing scheduled for February 11. Dubey has also urged the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the state chief secretary to implement urgent reforms and stronger conflict mitigation measures.

Officials have maintained that poaching for commercial trade appears to be ruled out in the Shahdol case, with carcasses intact. Nevertheless, the deaths underscore the growing tension between expanding human land use and tiger habitats. Forest departments have deployed expert teams, including dog squads, to gather evidence and strengthen enforcement under wildlife protection laws.

On a national scale, India lost 166 tigers in 2025 - up from 126 in 2024 , with Madhya Pradesh accounting for the largest share. Of these deaths, dozens were due to unnatural causes including electrocution, territorial fights, accidents, and human-wildlife conflicts. Conservation experts point to habitat pressure, shrinking corridors, and rising human-wildlife tension as major contributing factors.

Without urgent action, including safer wildlife corridors, stricter monitoring of illegal traps and fences, improved patrols, rapid conflict response teams, and better coordination among forest authorities, India risks losing most of its wild tigers by 2046, imperiling one of the nation’s most iconic species and the ecological balance of its forests.