Nearly six tiger deaths have been reported each month since the beginning of this year and the highest tiger mortality was reported from Tamil Nadu. About 23 big cats died so far with six deaths in Tamil Nadu and most of them are under investigation.
After TN, tiger mortality was higher in MP (4) and Uttarakhand (3) while other states where big cats deaths have been reported include Maharashtra, AP, Assam, Bihar, Karnataka and Kerala. Tamil Nadu reported four tiger deaths in the month of January while one each was reported in February and March and all are under investigation. Tiger deaths were reported from north Nilgiri Division near Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, Ooty, Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and Ulandi Range in Anamalai Tiger Reserve.
According to 2010 tiger census, there are 1,706 tigers in the wild and a big threat of poaching looms over them due to high demand of tiger parts in the international market. In 2013, as many as 67 tiger deaths were reported, 10 of which happened due to poaching.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has been making efforts to protect the dwindling number of tiger population in India as we have the largest number of tigers in the wild. Efforts are on to keep a vigil on the country’s porous borders with neighbours. The NTCA is in the process of counting tigers and the census is expected to be out by December.