A young radio-collared tiger brought under a conservation plan was found dead inside a tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh, triggering serious questions about monitoring and wildlife protection.
Discovery Inside The Reserve
The body of a 3-4-year-old male tiger was discovered on February 15 in the Manegaon Beat of the Mohli Range of Rani Durgavati Tiger Reserve.
- The tiger had been relocated from Kanha Tiger Reserve last month
- It was released into the wild on the night of January 18-19
- The animal was fitted with a satellite radio collar for 24/7 tracking
Officials said the tiger’s location remained unchanged for nearly two days before a patrol team reached the site.
Possible Cause Of Death
Forest officials found pugmarks of another tiger nearby and believe a territorial fight may be the likely cause.
- No signs of poaching detected
- No illegal power lines found
- Nearby water sources normal
- Post-mortem conducted by a veterinary panel
The final cause will be confirmed after the detailed report is released.
Activist Alleges Negligence
Wildlife activist Ajay Dubey filed a complaint alleging serious monitoring failure.
He claimed:
- Collar data showed the tiger was stationary for long
- Officials failed mandatory physical verification
- Monitoring protocols were not followed
He demanded:
- Independent inquiry by the National Tiger Conservation Authority
- Disciplinary action against responsible officials
- Public release of post-mortem report
Conservation Concerns Raised
The incident comes ahead of plans to introduce cheetahs in the same landscape area.
Activists warned:
- If a tracked tiger could not be protected
- Future reintroduction projects may face higher risk
Forest officials, however, maintained territorial clashes are natural in expanding tiger habitats and denied any foul play so far.
