In the year 2021, a total of 126 tigers have been killed across the country. This is the highest number of tiger deaths in the last ten years. The figures were released by the National Tiger Conservation Authority. Out of these 126 tigers, 60 tigers are victims of poaching, accidents and human-animal conflicts outside protected areas. Thirty percent of these tigers die outside the tiger region.
NTC has been publicly recording tiger deaths since 2012. “The number of tiger deaths in 2021 could be the highest in a decade,” the report said. Because by September 30, 2021, 99 tigers had died in the country.
Earlier in 2016, the highest number of tiger deaths was recorded during the year. That year, 121 tigers died in the country. In 2021, the highest number of 44 tigers died in Madhya Pradesh, followed by 26 in Maharashtra and 14 in Karnataka.
Out of these 26 tigers that died in Maharashtra, 15 died due to natural causes. The remaining 11 tigers died due to poisoning, poaching, train accidents and electric shock. The NTC is investigating the deaths of poisoned tigers.