16 tiger deaths in Maharashtra this year, 13 in Karnataka, reveals data on World Tiger Day

At least 50 per cent of the deceased Tigers were less than a year old.

With 15 cases of mortality, Maharashtra has recorded the highest number of Tiger deaths this year. 14 tigers have died so far in Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka has recorded 13 tiger deaths this year alone. The numbers released by the National Tiger Conservation Authority on World Tiger Day are worrisome.

Maharashtra has also recorded the highest number of Tiger body parts seizure according to the statutory body under the Ministry of Forest and Environment. At least 50 per cent of the deceased Tigers were less than a year old. The causes of death range from territorial fights, accidents electrocution and Human intervention including poaching.

The report also said that Karnataka is home to 406 tigers while Madhya Pradesh has 308 tigers. There are merely 202 tigers in Maharashtra but the highest mortality rate has been reported from there. While these are government statistics, a Delhi based NGO has said that Karnataka recorded the highest Tiger mortality rates in 2017.

According to NTCA data, 12 tigers in Maharashtra died due to natural causes while four were poached. In Madhya Pradesh, one incident of tiger body part seizure was reported while 13 tigers died of natural causes. 12 tigers died of natural causes in Karnataka while one tiger body part was recovered. In Uttarakhand, 11 Tigers are said to have died of natural causes.

Wildlife Protection Society of India released its statistics on Tiger mortality on World Tiger Day that revealed increased instances of poaching in Maharashtra. According to the WPSI data, 15 tiger deaths have been reported in Karnataka so far this year making it the state with highest Tiger mortality.

14 tiger deaths have been reported from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh each while Uttarakhand, according to the data, reported 11 tiger deaths. Five poaching incidents are said to have taken place in Maharashtra this year alone.

OneIndia News