At 52, Maharashtra reported maximum tiger deaths in 2023

Maharashtra has recorded the highest number of tiger deaths this year, surpassing Madhya Pradesh. The Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) reported a total of 52 tiger deaths in Maharashtra, with the highest number of fatalities in Chandrapur and Gadchiroli districts. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) data also indicate a rising trend in tiger deaths, with 168 deaths recorded in 2023. In addition to tiger deaths, WPSI flagged a significant increase in leopard deaths, with 544 reported in 2023. The deaths are attributed to causes like poaching and electrocution, including incidents involving Bawaria poachers from Haryana and Punjab.