India has witnessed the highest number of tiger deaths in over a decade, totaling 202 this year, according to a report released by the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI). This alarming statistic comes just six months after the celebration of 50 years of Project Tiger, which had announced the presence of 3,682 big cats in the wild based on a 2022 census.
The WPSI report, covering the period from January 1 to December 24, 2023, reveals a staggering figure of 202 tiger deaths, including 147 from natural causes and 55 from poaching. In comparison, last year’s total was 143, with 104 attributed to natural causes and 39 to poaching.
Maharashtra has reported the highest number of tiger deaths, surpassing the half-century mark for the first time at 52. Nearly 50% of these fatalities occurred in the districts of Chandrapur and Gadchiroli. Madhya Pradesh, the state with the largest tiger population, recorded the second-highest number of deaths at 47. This marks a shift from the previous years when Maharashtra ranked second to Madhya Pradesh in tiger fatalities.
Data from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) also indicates a concerning upward trend in tiger deaths. As of November 30, 2023, NTCA reported 168 tiger deaths in 2023, the highest in over a decade. Notably, Maharashtra alone recorded five tiger deaths in December, which are yet to be reflected on the NTCA’s website.