Maharashtra Tiger Deaths Surge in 2025-2026

Maharashtra recorded 41 tiger deaths in 2025, as reported by Forest Minister Ganesh Naik to the Legislative Council. Nationally, the count of tiger fatalities for the year stood at 166, according to data from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

Within the Pench Tiger Reserve area in Nagpur district, three deaths were documented. These included one adult tiger and two cubs. The adult tiger's carcass was found in the Saleghaat wildlife zone on December 2, 2025, with initial investigations pointing to natural causes. Later, on January 7, 2026, a tiger cub was discovered deceased in the Deolapar zone, with preliminary findings indicating a death due to a fight. Another cub's decomposed carcass was found the same day in the same zone, with a preliminary cause of natural death.

To counter these losses, the Special Tiger Protection Force conducts regular patrols in sensitive areas. A dog squad assists in detecting poaching activities, and field staff are equipped with M-Stripes app-enabled mobiles for tracking suspicious movements. Camera traps are strategically placed across movement corridors, water sources, and key locations. Furthermore, a Wildlife Crime Cell is being strengthened at the principal chief conservator of forests office in Nagpur, with a cyber cell at Melghat Tiger Reserve aiding in tracking poaching accused. Proposals for a Rapid Rescue Unit, Transit Treatment Centre, and an elephant tracking squad are under government consideration.