Odisha has witnessed the death of at least 55 tigers, including 48 leopards and seven Bengal tigers, in the last 10 years.

The causes of the death of tigers varied from poaching and electrocution to accidents. Besides the big cats, 2,869 wild animals were killed over the years. During the same period from 2013- 2023, 1,145 people lost their lives due to elephant-man conflict in the state.

This was informed by the state forest, environment and climate change minister, Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, on Tuesday in the state Assembly.

In response to the question of BJP MLA Tankadhar Tripathy, Khuntia said: “Of the total number of tigers killed during the last 10 years, 23 tigers were killed by poachers, four died of electrocution, two died in train accidents, three in road accidents, six died to other reasons including infighting and drowning, five died because of illness and five owing to old age ailments and seven passed away due to unknown reasons."

The highest number of deaths of tigers were reported from the Similipal tiger reserves located in the Mayurbhanj district. According to the minister, the state’s tiger census was conducted in 2024, and a total of 27 Bengal Tigers were spotted in Odisha. Of these, the Similipal Tiger Reserve boasts of 24. The other three are reported from one in Keonjhar wildlife division, one in Parlakhemundi in southern Odisha, and one in Hirakud Wildlife Division in western Odisha. Besides, eight Bengal tiger cubs were spotted in Similipal during the census.

The increasing number of deaths of pachyderms has also become a cause of concern in the state. During the last 10 years, while poachers killed 41 elephants, 719 pachyderms died due to other reasons.