Tiger Succumbs to Suspected Territorial Fight in MP’s Satpura Reserve

Fast Summary

• A tiger, identified as T-66 and aged 11-12 years, was found dead at the Satpura Tiger Reserve in Narmadapuram district, Madhya Pradesh on August 12, 2025.
• forest officials suspect that the cause of death was a territorial fight with another tiger; no evidence of poaching was found during site inspection.
• Veterinarians and STR Deputy Director Rishibha Singh Netam conducted an autopsy in presence of National Tiger Conservation Authority representatives before disposing of the carcass according to protocol.
• Madhya Pradesh has nine tiger reserves and recorded the highest number of tigers (785) based on India’s latest census report (‘Status of Tigers: Co-predators & Prey in India – 2022’).

Indian Opinion Analysis
The death of tiger T-66 highlights an ongoing challenge for India’s conservation approach: managing territorial disputes among tigers as populations recover within protected areas. While Madhya Pradesh’s significant numbers testify to succ