Tiger Found Dead in West Champaran's Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Suspected Electrocution from Illegal Fence
In a distressing incident, a male tiger was found dead in a sugarcane field at Purainia village under the Manguraha forest range of the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in West Champaran district on Wednesday morning. Forest department officials suspect that the big cat was electrocuted after coming into contact with an electrified fence that had been installed illegally around the agricultural field. An immediate investigation into the matter has been initiated to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the tiger's demise.
Discovery and Initial Investigation
A patrolling team from the Manpur range under VTR Division-1 spotted the tiger's carcass near Purainia village during their routine rounds and promptly informed senior officials. Upon reaching the spot, the officials began a thorough investigation. The carcass was found to be intact, with no signs of external injuries or physical trauma, leading to the initial suspicion of electrocution as the cause of death.
Neshamani K, the forest conservator and VTR director of West Champaran district, provided details on the incident. He explained that farmers in the area had fenced their fields with electrified wires to protect their crops from wild animals. It is believed that the tiger accidentally came into contact with a live wire, resulting in fatal electrocution. A wire recovered from the scene supports this suspicion, and the forest department is conducting a comprehensive investigation. Anyone found guilty of installing the illegal fence or being involved in the incident will face strict action under the Wildlife Protection Act.
Autopsy and Further Analysis
Following the discovery, a team of veterinarians conducted an autopsy on the tiger's body. As per standard protocol, viscera samples have been collected and will be sent to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly for detailed analysis. The autopsy report is expected to clarify the exact cause of death, providing conclusive evidence to support the initial findings of electrocution.
Tiger Population and Previous Incidents
According to official data, the Valmiki Tiger Reserve currently has a population of 54 tigers, and this number has been steadily increasing over the years. However, this incident adds to a series of tiger deaths in the reserve over the past two years. In August 2024, a male tiger died in a territorial clash within the Manguraha forest area. Two other tiger deaths were reported in March 2024 and May 2025, attributed to infighting or other natural causes. These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges in wildlife conservation and human-animal conflict in the region.
The death of this tiger underscores the critical need for stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws and better management of human-wildlife interactions. The forest department's investigation aims to not only hold those responsible accountable but also to implement measures to prevent such tragic occurrences in the future.
