A tragic incident at the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh has raised serious questions about wildlife management protocols. A rescued female tiger cub, being prepared for a return to the wild, was found dead under mysterious circumstances just a day after it managed to escape from a protective enclosure.
A Fatal Escape from the Enclosure
The cub, aged between seven and eight months, had been orphaned after its mother was killed by electrocution. Forest department officials had rescued the young animal and placed it in a secure enclosure as part of a careful rewilding process. This standard procedure is designed to help orphaned cubs develop survival skills under official supervision before their full release.
However, a critical lapse occurred. Sources revealed that a metal cage was placed inside the rewilding enclosure, a direct violation of established norms. Officials stated that the cub used this cage as a foothold to climb and scale the enclosure's fencing, leading to its escape.
Discovery and Investigation
The cub's body was discovered on Wednesday morning during a routine patrol in the Kathli beat (RF-331) of the Tala range. The finding sent shockwaves through the forest department and conservation community. A preliminary examination showed injury marks and signs of a struggle on the cub's neck and face.
Park authorities, in a press release, indicated that the probable cause of death was a conflict with another wild animal. Following the discovery, a formal panchnama was prepared and the site was secured. Investigators deployed a dog squad to scan the area and used a metal detector to rule out any suspicious objects.
A detailed post-mortem was conducted in the presence of a wildlife veterinarian. Biological samples were collected and sent to an authorised laboratory for testing. Following the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) laid down by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, the carcass was cremated on January 7.
Conservationists Flag Glaring Guideline Violations
Wildlife experts have pointed to a major failure in adhering to NTCA guidelines. The rules clearly state that no cage or obstruction should be placed inside a rewilding enclosure, as it can provide a climbing base for cubs. Enclosures are mandated to be open, unobstructed, and completely escape-proof—conditions that were allegedly not met in this case.
Ajay Dubey, a prominent wildlife activist, demanded accountability. "There should be an inquiry into the whole matter and those responsible should be held accountable," Dubey stated. The incident highlights the delicate and high-stakes nature of tiger conservation efforts in India, where procedural lapses can have fatal consequences for the endangered species.
