The carcass of an adult male tiger was recovered on Friday morning around 8 am from the western side of Mandir Baneshwar APC area under the Burapahar Range of Ghorakati in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR).
Following the recovery, the Director of KNPTR constituted a committee to conduct the post-mortem examination and ensure disposal of the carcass in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) laid down by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). Preliminary findings from the post-mortem indicate that the tiger likely died due to injuries sustained in an infight with another tiger.
Wildlife experts say such incidents may be linked to rising tiger density in Kaziranga. Typically, a male tiger occupies a territory spanning 50 to 100 square kilometres, while a tigress generally requires around 20 square kilometres. However, Kaziranga has one of the highest tiger densities in the world, with about 18 tigers per 100 square kilometres as per the 2024 assessment.
This high density is believed to be intensifying territorial conflicts. In the past 30 days alone, four tigers have reportedly died in Kaziranga due to infighting. Earlier this week, the carcass of a tigress was found in the Kathpora area of the Bagori Range. On January 4, another tigress was found dead in the West Bimoli area of the same range. On January 14, a tiger carcass was recovered from the Gamiri Range under the Biswanath Division.
In all such cases, park authorities have formed committees as per NTCA guidelines to conduct post-mortems and ensure scientific disposal of the carcasses.
M. Firoz Ahmed, a tiger expert from biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak, said Kaziranga’s tiger population may have reached saturation levels. “As the core protected area of about 430 square kilometres becomes crowded, tigers try to move out in search of new territories. When they fail to establish new ranges, conflicts increase,” he explained.
He added that the vast forested areas of Karbi Anglong could potentially serve as new habitats for dispersing tigers, although prey density there is comparatively lower.
According to the 2024 tiger estimation, Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve is home to approximately 148 tigers, making it one of the most significant tiger habitats in the world.