Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik on Friday informed the Legislative Assembly that 22 tigers, 40 leopards, and 61 other wild animals died in the state between January and April 2025.
Naik presented detailed data on wildlife deaths since the beginning of the year while responding to questions raised by MLAs. Of the 22 tigers that died this year, 13 succumbed to natural causes, four died from electric shocks, another four due to road, railway, and well accidents, while one tiger’s death remains unexplained.
Between January and April, the state recorded the deaths of 40 leopards. Naik said that eight of them died due to natural causes, 20 due to accidents involving roads, railways, and wells, three were victims of poaching, and the cause of death for the remaining nine is still unknown.
In addition, 61 other wild animals died during the same period. Among them, 23 died naturally, four due to electric shock, four were poached, and 24 died from stray dog attacks or well accidents. The cause of death for the six animals remains unknown. Naik also confirmed that 21 people were killed in wild animal attacks during the same period.
The minister shared cumulative data, saying that 107 tigers died in Maharashtra between January 2022 and December 2024. During that three-year period, the total number of wild animal deaths in the state stood at 707.
Naik said that the government is taking measures to protect tigers, leopards, and other wildlife. “Measures are planned in the district-level tiger committee meeting. To prevent the death of tigers and other wild animals due to electric current, action is being taken,” he said.
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