Bhopal

A tiger cub was found dead in the core area of Kanha Tiger Reserve, taking the number of tiger deaths in Madhya Pradesh to 22 since January this year, officials said on Friday.

The carcass of the cub, estimated to be between one and one-and-a-half years old, was discovered on Thursday evening in the Sargi region of the reserve, which spans Mandla district and Balaghat district.

Deputy Director Amita B said a post-mortem was conducted on Friday and authorities were awaiting the report to determine the exact cause of death.

She said preliminary findings suggest the cub may have died of starvation after not being fed by its mother.

Officials also said another cub from the same tigress had died three days earlier. The tigress had given birth to four cubs, of which two have now died. Forest staff are closely monitoring the tigress and the two surviving cubs.

According to data from the National Tiger Conservation Authority, Madhya Pradesh, which has nine tiger reserves, has recorded 22 tiger deaths this year, including cubs.

The first tiger death of 2026 was reported on January 7 in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.

Wildlife activist Ajay Dubey expressed concern over the rising fatalities, claiming the state ranks highest in tiger deaths, including unnatural cases. He alleged weak monitoring and patrolling were contributing factors and demanded accountability from forest officials.

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Dubey also referred to a recent case in Panna Tiger Reserve where a decomposed tiger carcass was reportedly found around 20 days after the animal’s death.