India registered 163 tiger deaths from January to November 11 this year, marking the highest figure since 2012, as per the data available from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) with Maharashtra reporting the highest mortalities at 40, followed closely by Madhya Pradesh (38). The numbers could be on the higher side given that at times some deaths go unreported or the States fail to ascertain the cause of mortalities. India has reported 121 tiger mortalities in 2022 against 127 in 2021 and 106 in 2020.
Of the 163 tiger deaths so far this year, 28 were of cubs while at least 10 were sub-adults. This can directly impact the reproductive potential of the tiger population, say wildlife experts. At least 78 big cats deaths have been reported inside various tiger reserves in the country while 86 died outside or on the periphery of their habitat, indicating man-animal conflicts as tigers tried to compete with each other in the territorial fights.
Nearly 19 tiger deaths have been reported from Uttarakhand, 11 each from Assam and Karnataka, and 13 from Kerala, among others.
As per the NTCA officials, some potential factors contributing to tiger deaths could include poaching, habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and diseases. NTCA Chief SP Yadav said, “If there has been record tiger deaths only because there has been record tiger population as has been estimated by the latest census. Number is increasing because of better protection and conservation planning.”
Yadav also stated that the average age in the wild is 10-12 years only, so those becoming old are bound to die natural death. On the higher number of cubs’ mortalities, he said this shows that more births are taking place and on an average 50 per cent neonatal mortality happens in big cats like tigers.
India is home to two-thirds of the global wild tiger population. According to the recent Tiger Census, India’s tiger population rose to 3,682 in 2022, up from 2,967 in 2018. Madhya Pradesh reported the highest number of tigers in the country at 785 predators. Karnataka was the second largest home with 563, Uttarakhand had 560 and Maharashtra 444.
However, wildlife experts said the increase in the number of reported tiger deaths in India is indeed notable and raises concerns about the conservation of these magnificent creatures. While officials may attribute the rise in fatalities to the growth in the tiger population across reserves, it is crucial to thoroughly investigate the causes of these deaths to ensure the well-being and sustainability of the tiger population, said a wildlife expert on the condition of anonymity.
It is essential for wildlife authorities to conduct detailed analyses of each case to determine the specific causes and take appropriate conservation measures, he said.
The fact that the tiger census indicates a rise in the number of big cats is positive for the overall conservation effort. However, it is equally important to focus on maintaining a healthy and sustainable tiger population by addressing the threats they face.
Public awareness, community involvement, and the implementation of effective conservation strategies are key elements in ensuring the long-term survival of tigers in India. Authorities should continue to monitor and adapt conservation efforts to safeguard these iconic and endangered species, the wildlife expert said.
