Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
A 12-year-old tigress has died in the Singara forest range of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Nilgiris. Forest staff had been monitoring her since August 19 after villagers shared a video showing her weakened state. The tigress was old, had lost her teeth, and could no longer hunt. Instead, she survived on chicken waste dumped by traders in an abandoned quarry. That alone reveals the structural failures of waste management near reserves. Human negligence shaped her final days.
Officials said the tigress was closely tracked to prevent conflict with livestock. She was seen lingering near the forest boundary, too weak to chase wild prey. By Sunday afternoon, she fell seriously ill and died that evening. A post-mortem was scheduled for Monday morning. Her death is another reminder that age and disease are natural, but the conditions around her — waste, livestock pressure, and shrinking wild prey — are human choices. For broader context, see our cornerstone on human–tiger conflict.
Based on New Indian Express, India.
Photo via New Indian Express.
