Tiger Bheema of Kanha dies; four big cats succumb in 12 days, 31 this year in MP
Special Correspondent
NewsBits.in
Bhopal: Continuing the unfortunate trend of the year, 31st tiger died in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday. This time, the victim is young male tiger Bheema of Kanha National Park, who succumbed to injuries of a territorial fight that happened on December 5.
The shocking fact is that Bheema was the fourth big cat to die in the state in past 12 days. According to the 2014 census, MP had 308 tigers.
The toll of this year – 31 – is the highest number of tiger deaths in any state of the country.
Activist Ajay Dubey has blamed the frequent and unfortunately high number of tiger deaths on apathetic attitude of political leadership in state as well as senior forest officials.
He said that despite a decision in 2005, a dedicated wildlife veterinary cadre was not raised in MP. “Most vets are either on deputation or on contract appointment and few have wildlife care expertise. So if a tiger is ill or injured in MP, it is sure to die,” Dubey said.
Bheema – the latest victim - succumbed to his injuries on Sunday afternoon. He was undergoing treatment at an enclosure in Mukki range of Kanha.
On December 5, Bheema had a fight with another male tiger Munna and both were injured, though Bheema sustained more grievous injuries. Munna is said to be doing well after the treatment of his injuries.
During last 12 days, four tiger/tigresses have died in different parts of MP. A tigress was killed in Bandhavgarh national park on November 29, allegedly owing to tranquiliser overdose while capturing her.
A tiger was killed on railway track in Satna on December 5 while a while tigress died in Mukundpur tiger safari in Satna on December 7 after getting injured in a botched mating attempt with a royal Bengal tiger.
(Photo courtesy: Sudhir Shivaram Nature & Wildlife Photography FB page)
