How To Bring Down Tiger Deaths Due To Unnatural Causes? Expert Spells Out His Action Plan

Karnataka, a state renowned for its rich biodiversity and commitment to wildlife conservation, boasts of the second-largest tiger population in India. But it is also witnessing unnatural deaths for both tigers and elephants in the past five years. This trend has underscored a complex interplay of factors, including habitat loss, human encroachment, and inadequate enforcement of wildlife laws, according to experts.

Karanataka has recorded 66 tiger deaths since 2020, with 10 per cent succumbing to unnatural causes, according to state forest department data. While natural mortality is an inevitable part of the ecosystem, the circumstances surrounding these unnatural deaths call for attention. Poaching and poisoning remain significant threats, but in many cases, the exact cause remains a mystery. The forest department’s challenges in detecting and documenting carcasses, particularly in the inhospitable terrain and during the monsoon, further add to the problem.

Dr. Sanjay Gubbi, a wildlife biologist who has done extensive research and conservation activities around big cats, elephants and wildlife in general, shared his thoughts on how this challenge can be tackled.

“Natural deaths of tigers are certainly not an issue of concern. However, if there are higher number of unnatural deaths, they need to be brought down as it can contribute to the population reduction of tigers. I agree that tiger carcasses are difficult to find due to difficult terrains and their secretive nature of life. But we can improve the rate of detection of causes of death.”

Subhash Malkhede, principal chief conservator of forest and chief wildlife warden of Karnataka, said: “Sometimes animals become reclusive and withdraw to remote areas in the face of death. Monsoon makes it difficult to sense the smell of carcass. Dense growth of lantana and other weeds makes it difficult to locate. Forest department staffers make best efforts to detect and document nevertheless.”

Meanwhile, of the 372 elephant deaths in the past five years, 67 (18 per cent) were unnatural, according to the state forest department. Electrocution has been a primary culprit. As elephants venture into human settlements in search of food and water, they encounter a deadly infrastructure.

The slow pace of prosecution in cases of unnatural deaths for both tigers and elephants is another problem. The forest department’s hands are tied by the limitations of existing laws, which often demand concrete evidence that is virtually impossible to obtain in wildlife crime cases. An example that explains the said issue is a 2022 incident. A tiger’s body with missing head and all four limbs was found in Barchi forest range of Haliyal division of Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka. The culprits have yet to be apprehended.

Tiger Death Toll:

Elephant Death Toll:

India has recorded 628 tiger deaths in the past five years due to various causes, including poaching, while 349 humans were killed in tiger attacks. Maharashtra has seen the highest human fatalities with 200 cases. India has 3,682 tigers, making up for 75 per cent of global tiger population in wildlife. Karnataka has 563 tigers and 6,395 elephants (as per the 2023 census report).

Expert Talk

Wildlife biologist Dr Gubbi gave five suggestions to improve the rate of detecting the causes of tiger deaths:

1. Nominating scientifically trained people as NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority) external representatives who act as witnesses to autopsy.
2. Many of the current external representatives do not have the required skills to assess causes and/or have a poor understanding of wildlife anatomy and autopsy procedures. Hence, providing scientific training to external representatives nominated as NTCA experts about wildlife anatomy, identifying cues about unnatural mortalities in wildlife carcasses, post-mortem procedures, various wildlife diseases and their symptoms, procedures to collect samples, etc. is critical.
3. Setting up dedicated forensics labs within the forest department, which is also housed within Forest Department premises and providing advanced training to the personnel.
4. Improving of follow-up of court cases to ensure conviction in relevant cases.
5. Enhancing patrolling inside tiger habitats to control unnatural deaths and improving facilities of anti-poaching camp staff.