7th March 2019

Poaching and electrocution were behind 31.5% (207) of the 656 tiger deaths reported in the country between 2012 and 2018, according to data released by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

Around 40% of India’s estimated 2,226 tigers (2014 census) lives outside the core areas of tiger habitats. These tigers are vulnerable to poaching and come into conflict with humans. The data shows a rise in tiger vulnerability with deaths reported 2016 onwards being in the three digits as compared to being in two digits between 2012 and 2015. New tiger numbers estimated to be released in a month will throw more light on this aspect.

Interestingly, NTCA was not able to establish the cause of death in 118 cases (18% of the total deaths), primarily because of the state forest departments not updating the cause with the authority.

Read full story here