A sub-adult tiger carcass was recovered from the Mihimukh area of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) in Assam, park officials confirmed on Sunday, 1 June 2025. The discovery, made during routine surveillance on Saturday evening, marks the fourth tiger death recorded at the reserve in 2025.

How the Carcass Was Found

Forest personnel conducting routine surveillance and monitoring in the Mihimukh area under the Kaziranga Range at Kohora spotted the carcass on Saturday evening. Officials estimate the tiger had been dead for approximately four days before discovery. Standard wildlife protection protocols were initiated immediately upon recovery.

Post-Mortem Findings

A committee constituted by KNPTR Director Sonali Ghosh conducted the post-mortem examination on Sunday, following the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) Standard Operating Procedure. However, the cause of death could not be established. According to officials, 'the cause of death could not be ascertained during the post-mortem examination due to the advanced stage of decomposition.' Further investigations remain underway.

Three Earlier Deaths in January and February

This latest recovery follows three tiger deaths at KNPTR between January and February 2025. On 14 January, the carcass of a young male Royal Bengal tiger aged around two to three years was found at Thute Chapori in the Eastern Range at Gamiri under the Biswanath Wildlife Division; preliminary examination indicated death from natural causes or infighting. On 18 January, a tigress aged around three to four years was recovered from the Kathpora area of the Bagori Western Range, with post-mortem findings pointing to infighting. On 7 February, a male tiger aged approximately 12 to 13 years was found near the Mandir Baneshwar Anti-Poaching Camp in the Burapahar Range at Ghorakati; preliminary findings again suggested infighting as the cause.

Kaziranga's Wildlife and Conservation Status

Kaziranga is India's seventh UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the celebrated 'Big Five'. According to the latest available census data, the park shelters 2,613 greater one-horned rhinoceroses (2022), 104 Bengal tigers (2022), 1,228 Asian elephants (2024), 2,565 wild water buffaloes (2022), and 1,129 eastern swamp deer (2022). Spread across the districts of Golaghat, Nagaon, Sonitpur, and Biswanath, the reserve generated revenue of more than ₹10.90 crore in 2024-25, up from ₹8.81 crore in 2023-24.

What Happens Next

Authorities are continuing investigations to determine the cause of the sub-adult tiger's death. With four tiger deaths in roughly five months, conservationists are likely to scrutinise whether territorial pressure from a growing tiger population — or other environmental stressors — is contributing to increased intra-species conflict within the reserve.