Cubs, adult tiger found dead in Kanha Tiger Reserve, Balaghat; MP death toll rises to 23

New Delhi: A tiger cub was found dead in Kanha Tiger Reserve and the carcass of an adult tiger was found in Balaghat district, taking the death toll of tigers in Madhya Pradesh to 23 since January this year, officials told PTI.According to officials, the cub, aged between one and one-and-a-half years old, was found on Thursday evening in Sarji area in the core area of ​​the reserve, which straddles Mandera and Balaghat districts. “The cub’s necropsy was conducted on Friday and we are awaiting the report (to know the exact cause of death),” Deputy Director Amita B.She added that ostensibly the cub may have died of starvation because it was not being fed by its mother. Three days ago, another cub of the same tigress also died. “The tigress gave birth to four cubs, two of which have died. We are closely monitoring the tigress and the remaining two cubs,” she said.In another incident, an adult tiger was found dead in the northern forest area of ​​Balaghat.The state, which has 785 tigers as per Census 2022, the highest number in the country, has reported nine tiger deaths since one was found dead in a forest area in Burhanpur on April 2.Data from the National Tiger Conservation Authority shows that as of April 21 this year, 21 tigers have died in the state. On January 7, Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve reported its first death of 2026.“Madhya Pradesh ranks first in the number of tiger deaths, including unnatural deaths, which is worrying,” wildlife activist Ajay Dubey told PTI, pointing to gaps in monitoring and patrolling.