Nagpur: Despite the tall claims of Maharashtra government for tiger and wild life conservation, there has been a significant rise in the number of deaths of big cat species. At least 6 tigers have died during last 4 months and 36 leopards lost their lives within 3 months.
On May 18 a tiger cub was found in Nagbhid tehsil in Gadchiroli district, taking the total number of deaths of tigers to 7 in just a span of 4 months.
Ironically about 80 per cent of these deaths were reported in Vidarbha region. The alarming trend has exposed the ignorant take of state government towards tiger conservation.
Wildlife experts said that most of these big cats died as they strayed out of forests in search of food and water. Moreover, carlessness on the part of humans has also accounted for most of the deaths of tigers and leopards.
When Nagpur Today spoke to a forest official, he refused to divulge details on the deaths of these tigers and leopards.
Not only big cats, about 20 other wild animals also fell prey to the accidents. These include 2 bears, 10 wild buffaloes, 2 sambhars, 2 neelgais and 3 deers.
