Kanha (Madhya Pradesh): In a tragic day for wildlife conservation, the carcasses of a tiger and two female cubs were found in different parts of Kanha Tiger Reserve (KTR) on Thursday. Forest officials confirmed that all three were killed in fights with other big cats.
The adult tiger, aged between eight and ten years, was identified as the “Balaghat Male Tiger,” a well-known presence frequently sighted by visitors. His carcass was discovered in the Mukhi range. Post-mortem findings revealed deep injuries to the trachea, suggesting he succumbed during a territorial battle. Weighing nearly 180 kilograms, the tiger had recently been spotted near the buffer zone before wandering into the core area of another male’s territory.
In a separate incident, two female cubs were found dead in the Kanha range on the same day. Officials confirmed they were killed by an adult tiger. Following protocol, the carcasses of all three were disposed of as per the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) guidelines.
Kanha Tiger Reserve, which also extends into Balaghat district, recorded 137 tigers in the latest count, the highest for any reserve in Madhya Pradesh. The state itself remains home to 785 tigers—the largest population in the country, according to the 2022 census.
