Tiger Mortality Incident in Shahdol: Electrocution Claims Two Big Cats, Poaching Excluded

In a significant wildlife incident, two tigers have been confirmed dead due to electrocution in the Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh, with authorities ruling out poaching as a cause. The Shahdol divisional forest officer (DFO), Taruna Verma, reported that the forest department was alerted to a tiger carcass on Sunday night, prompting an immediate investigation. Preliminary findings indicate that the tigers came into contact with an electrified fence or live wire, likely installed for agricultural or protective purposes, leading to fatal electrocution. This incident underscores the ongoing challenges in human-wildlife conflict zones, where infrastructure and agricultural practices inadvertently pose threats to endangered species. The forest department is conducting a thorough inquiry to determine the exact circumstances and ensure compliance with wildlife protection regulations. Such events highlight the critical need for enhanced safety measures and community awareness to mitigate risks to India's tiger population, which is vital for biodiversity conservation efforts.