Tiger Cub Found Dead Near Bandipur Reserve, Electrocution Suspected
Authorities at the Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR) in Mysuru made a grim discovery on Tuesday, identifying a dead tiger cub on private land located away from the protected reserve area. The female cub was spotted using drone camera surveillance, raising immediate concerns among wildlife officials.
Discovery and Investigation Details
BTR director S Prabhakaran revealed that local forest officials were conducting an aerial scan of the region following complaints about big cat activity. During the drone survey, they observed a tiger lying motionless for over two hours, prompting a rapid response team to be dispatched to the site.
Upon arrival, it was confirmed that the tiger had died. Prabhakaran noted that the cub was a young female that had recently separated from its mother. The nearest forest area is approximately 20 kilometers from the location where the carcass was found.
Suspected Cause of Death
Initial investigations point strongly toward electrocution as the cause of death. Officials from the Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) informed forest staff that power had been illegally drawn from a nearby pole to an electric fence where the tiger cub was discovered.
The landowner and lessee had reportedly used this unauthorized electrical connection to protect their crops and property from wildlife intrusions, Prabhakaran explained. This illegal setup likely led to the fatal electrocution of the tiger cub.
Legal Actions and Wildlife Protection
A formal case has been registered under India's Wildlife Protection Act against those responsible for the illegal power connection. Tigers are classified as Schedule 1 animals under this act, affording them the highest level of protection. The investigation is ongoing to determine full accountability and prevent future incidents.
Pattern of Tiger Deaths in the Region
This tragic event is part of a disturbing trend in the Chamarajanagar district:
- In June of last year, five tigers, including a mother and her four cubs, died from poisoning in the Male Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary.
- October saw another tiger killed, with its carcass chopped and buried.
- In February this year, a tiger died after being trapped in a snare in the Gundal reservoir area of the BRT Tiger Reserve.
The latest incident in Padaguru, Gundlupet, marks the eighth tiger death in the district over the past nine months, highlighting ongoing challenges in human-wildlife conflict and conservation efforts.
Recent Tiger Activity in Kodagu
In a related development, a tiger attacked and killed a calf on Sunday evening in Bajekolli, Kodagu district. This follows several incidents of tiger attacks in the Badaga Banangala village over recent months, indicating increased movement and conflict in the region.
Context of Human-Wildlife Conflict
Just a week prior to this discovery, a tiger had killed livestock belonging to a local farmer. Forest department officials had set up a trap in the area in an attempt to capture and relocate the animal, underscoring the persistent tensions between agricultural communities and wildlife conservation.
These incidents collectively emphasize the urgent need for enhanced protective measures, community engagement, and stricter enforcement of wildlife laws to safeguard India's tiger population.
