Rewilded Tiger's Agonizing End: Poison, Electrocution Confirmed

A tiger, reintroduced into the wild as part of a conservation initiative, died a painful death on March 3, 2026, following multiple attempts on its life. Investigators have confirmed the big cat was subjected to both poisoning and electrocution. The tiger, approximately four-and-a-half years old, was translocated from Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve to Satpura Tiger Reserve on December 24, 2025, and released into the wild on January 1, 2026.

Evidence suggests the accused, linked to illegal opium cultivation, initially attempted to poison the tiger by lacing a dead bull with urea. When this failed, an electric wire trap was set. Tripping records from a nearby power sub-station corroborate the electrocution time. The investigation has become complex, with illegal opium cultivation found deeper in the forest, raising questions about the motive. Authorities recovered 6,148 opium plants weighing 194.5 kg.