Third Tiger Dies in Kaziranga This Month Due to Territorial Infighting
Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve has reported its third tiger death this month. The latest incident occurred in the Bagori range on Sunday evening. Forest officials confirmed the death resulted from infighting among Royal Bengal tigers.
Details of the Latest Incident
Around 4 pm on Sunday, park authorities recovered the carcass of a female tiger in the Kathpora area of the Western Range, Bagori. A committee formed by the KNPTR director conducted a post-mortem examination following National Tiger Conservation Authority protocols. Preliminary findings indicated the tiger died from injuries sustained during a fight with another tiger.
The authorities released a statement on Monday confirming these findings. They disposed of the carcass according to standard operating procedures.
Officials Explain Natural Causes
Park authorities and wildlife experts emphasized that such deaths are part of natural selection. They stated intervention was unnecessary. KNPTR field director Sonali Ghosh explained that tiger infighting represents the raw essence of survival of the fittest.
"Tiger infighting — where subadults are killed or expelled in territorial battles — sustains a thriving, balanced ecosystem," Ghosh told The Times of India. She clarified that the recent deaths are not due to overcrowding but are natural occurrences.
Previous Incidents This Month
This marks the third tiger death in Kaziranga during January. On January 4, officials found an adult female Royal Bengal tiger carcass in the Paschim Bimoli area of the Western Range, Bagori. They attributed that death to infighting as well.
The most recent case before Sunday occurred on January 14. A young male tiger, estimated to be 2-3 years old, was found dead at Thute Chapori in the Eastern Range, Gamiri. Post-mortem findings suggested an older male killed the younger tiger during a territorial fight.
Expert Perspective on Tiger Behavior
Tiger expert and senior conservation biologist Dipankar Lahkar said infighting is a natural process, especially in areas with dense tiger populations. He noted that the most vulnerable period for tigers is between 18 and 24 months. During this time, young tigers leave their mothers and encounter dominant males while attempting to establish their own territories.
Kaziranga's Tiger Population
Kaziranga reported one of the highest tiger densities in the world last year. The estimate stood at 18.65 tigers per 100 square kilometers. According to last year's estimate, Kaziranga had 148 Royal Bengal tigers.
The Kohora range has the highest tiger presence, followed by Bagori and Agaratoli ranges. The Biswanath and Burapahar ranges host fewer tigers.
Historical Context
In August last year, another tiger died in Kaziranga due to similar conflict. This pattern of territorial disputes leading to fatalities appears consistent over time.
Authorities maintain that these incidents reflect healthy ecosystem dynamics rather than conservation concerns. They stress that natural selection processes help maintain balanced tiger populations within the reserve.
