An eight-year-old tiger was found dead in the Khitauli range of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) in Umaria district of State, with preliminary investigations suggesting that the big cat may have died during a territorial fight with another tiger. According to reserve officials, security personnel stationed at the Dhamdhama camp heard loud roaring and sounds of an intense clash between two tigers around 6:30 am on Monday. After the noise subsided, a patrol team was sent to inspect the area, where they later discovered the carcass of the tiger. A preliminary examination revealed several injury marks on the body, indicating a violent encounter with another big cat.

 

However, officials confirmed that all organs were intact, ruling out the possibility of poaching. The tiger, popularly known as ‘Pujari’, was around eight years old. Forest officials said that the tiger was known to avoid a nother dominant tiger identified as B1 and would often retreat whenever the rival entered its territory. Following the incident, forest authorities cordoned off the area and launched a detailed investigation. Elephant patrol teams, a dog squad and metal detector units have been deployed. Officials stated that the investigation is being conducted in standard operating procedures laid down by the National Tiger Conservation Authority.