Maharashtra Sees 8 Tiger Deaths in 20 Days, Highest Fatalities in January

Maharashtra is facing a troubling spike in tiger deaths, with eight fatalities reported in just 20 days this January alone

Maharashtra Sees 8 Tiger Deaths in 20 Days, Highest Fatalities in January
Maharashtra Sees 8 Tiger Deaths in 20 Days, Highest Fatalities in January

Pune: Recently, an 18-month-old tigress was tragically killed by a speeding train while crossing the tracks in Maharashtra’s dense Sindewahi forest. The poor thing was struck by the Raxaul Express, which caused severe injuries and led to its instant death.

This incident is part of a larger issue, as the National Tiger Conservation Authority reported 14 tiger deaths in just the first 20 days of January. Out of those, Maharashtra accounted for a staggering eight fatalities. Most of these deaths happened outside protected areas, often due to poaching, accidents, or diseases.

While the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve is seeing more tiger sightings, the Vidarbha region is struggling with this alarming rise in deaths. The recent report on tiger populations in India did show some good news, but the increase in fatalities is a serious concern for the forest department. They need to find ways to keep tigers safe outside of protected zones.

Just a few days ago, a tigress in Bhandara was electrocuted and then dismembered, which is just heartbreaking. Another tiger was found in Yavatmal with its teeth and claws removed. And on January 19, yet another tiger was killed in a railway accident.

Among the eight deaths, at least three were due to natural causes, like fights over territory. It’s clear that while tigers are doing well in protected areas, the high mortality rate outside those zones highlights the urgent need for better conservation efforts.

Vivek Khandekar, the chief wildlife warden, mentioned that while they’ve created safe spaces in protected areas, they need to extend those efforts beyond them. A solid conservation program that crosses political and administrative lines is crucial right now.

The Gondia-Ballarpur train route has become a dangerous spot for tigers, with the recent death marking the seventh fatality in recent years. Conservationists are urging immediate action, pointing to successful wildlife corridors in Madhya Pradesh that have helped reduce tiger deaths. In 2023, the Wildlife Conservation Trust even recommended developing similar corridors in Maharashtra to prevent more tragedies.

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