MP records two tiger deaths in Satpura, Kanha in 24hrs

Bhopal:Madhya Pradesh has lost two tigers within 24 hours in separate incidents believed to be linked to territorial clashes, taking the number of big cat deaths in the state to around 16 so far in 2026.The deaths come at a time when the All-India Tiger Estimation-2026 (AITE-26), the sixth cycle of the nationwide tiger census, is on a concluding stage.InMandla‘s Kanha Tiger Reserve, the carcass of tigress Sunaina (T-122), one of the park's most well-known andfrequentlysighted big cats, was found near Sijhora Road in theKanharibeat of Kanha range.Field Director Ravindra Mani Tripathi and a team of veterinarians reached the spot. A dog squad was also deployed to scan the area.Officials said the tigress had deep injuriesonher body. "Prima facie, it appears to be a case of a territorial fight with another tiger," an officer said. All body parts were found intact. Viscera samples have been sent for forensic analysis to confirm the exact cause of death.Around 10 years old, Sunaina was among the most popular tigresses in Kanha, often sighted by tourists from India and abroad. Forest officials conducted her last rites as per National Tiger Conservation Authority guidelines in the presence of officials and local representatives.In a separate incident in Satpura Tiger Reserve inNarmadapuramdistrict, the carcass of a four-month-old cub was found in theNayakhedaarea ofMatkulirange. The cub is suspected to have been killed during a clash between tigers.Forest staff became alert after hearing loud roars of two tigers late on Saturday evening. A patrol team rushed to the spot and found the cub dead. The area was secured overnight.On Sunday morning, officials found pugmarks of both a male and a female tiger near the site. Based on these signs and injury marks, officials believe the cub was killed during an attack linked to territorialbehaviour."All procedures were carried out as per protocol. Prima facie, the injuries suggest it was killed by another carnivore,most likely atiger," said an officer.APCCF (Wildlife) L Krishnamurthy said forest teams reached both sites within hours of theincidents,and all prescribed protocols were followed. "The response was timely and procedures were carried out as per norms," he said.In the past nine months alone, Satpura has reported multiple tiger deaths. In August, a tiger was found dead in theMadhaiarea in what was believed to be a territorial fight. Another tiger carcass was later found inChurnaunder suspicious circumstances. In January, a tigress died due to illness in Tawa Nagar, while in March, a tiger was found buried inChhindwara, with suspicions of electrocution or poisoning. Wildlife activist Ajay Dubey has called for more intensive patrolling in the region.Good news from Gwalior ZooAt Gwalior's Gandhi Zoological Park, a white tigress, Mira, gave birth to three cubs on Sunday afternoon, taking the total tiger population at the zoo to 10. Zoo in-charge Dr Upendra Yadav said all the cubs are healthy and under close watch. The litter includes two Royal Bengal cubs and one white tiger cub. Mira is also safe andbeing monitored.The newborn cubs have been kept in isolation as a precaution. A team of veterinarians is regularly checking their health, while the tigress is being given a light and nutritious diet. With the new births, the zoo now has four white tigers and six Royal Bengal tigers, including the three cubs. Officials said special arrangements have been made for the care of the cubs as per Central Zoo Authority guidelines.