Guwahati: Infighting among Royal Bengal tigers in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) has led to the third tiger death this month. The latest incident was reported from the Bagori range on Sunday evening. Forest department officials said the conflicts may be linked to tigers expanding their territories. Park authorities and wildlife experts said intervention was unnecessary, as such deaths are part of natural selection and survival of the fittest.Around 4 pm on Sunday, the carcass of a female tiger was recovered in the Kathpora area of the Western Range, Bagori. A committee constituted by the KNPTR director conducted a post-mortem examination and disposed of the carcass as per National Tiger Conservation Authority SOPs. “Preliminary findings during the post-mortem suggest that infighting led to the death of the tiger,” the authorities said in a release on Monday.
Kaziranga reported one of the highest tiger densities in the world last year, estimated at 18.65 per 100 sq km. However, KNPTR field director Sonali Ghosh said the recent deaths are not due to overcrowding but are part of natural selection. “Tiger infighting — where subadults are killed or expelled in territorial battles — is the raw essence of natural selection and survival of the fittest. Far from tragedy, it sustains a thriving, balanced ecosystem,” Ghosh told TOI.Kohora has the highest tiger presence, followed by Bagori and Agaratoli ranges, while Biswanath and Burapahar host fewer tigers. As per last year’s estimate, Kaziranga had 148 Royal Bengal tigers.Earlier this month, on Jan 4, the carcass of an adult female Royal Bengal tiger was found in the Paschim Bimoli area of the Western Range, Bagori, with officials attributing the death to infighting. In August last year, another tiger died in Kaziranga due to similar conflict.The most recent case before Sunday was reported on Jan 14, when the carcass of a young male tiger was found at Thute Chapori in the Eastern Range, Gamiri, under Biswanath Wildlife Division. The tiger, estimated to be 2-3 years old, was likely killed by an older male during a territorial fight, according to post-mortem findings.Tiger expert and senior conservation biologist at Aranyak, Dipankar Lahkar, said infighting is a natural process, especially in areas with dense tiger populations. He said the most vulnerable period for tigers is between 18 and 24 months, when young tigers leave their mothers and encounter dominant males while attempting to establish territories. A considerable
