A second post-mortem of the tiger that killed a woman and critically injured three of her family members in the Kherwa Tola locality of Panpatha village near Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve was conducted on Monday, 26 May 2025, as authorities work to determine the exact cause of the animal's death. Forest officials have firmly dismissed speculation of a tranquiliser overdose, stating that preliminary findings do not support the claim.

How the Attack Unfolded

The incident occurred around 3 am on Sunday when the tiger strayed into the residential area and attacked Phool Bai Pal (40) while she was sleeping inside her home. Her husband, father, and father-in-law — who rushed to her aid — sustained critical injuries in the attack. All three are currently undergoing treatment at a hospital, and the state government has sanctioned financial assistance and free medical care for the injured.

After the initial attack, the tiger retreated into the forest. It later returned to the village in an unusual manner and was found lying motionless. Forest officials launched a rescue operation and darted the animal, but it was found dead during the operation.

What Officials Said About the Tiger's Death

Anupam Sahay, Field Director of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, strongly refuted claims that the tiger died due to a tranquiliser overdose. Speaking to reporters, Sahay said preliminary findings do not support this theory and pointed to other possible factors. 'Several other factors, such as heatstroke, thirst, or underlying disease, could have contributed to the tiger's death,' he said.

A formal statement issued by the reserve authorities also dismissed media and social media reports linking the death to an overdose. Sahay further refuted rumours that enraged villagers may have killed the animal. 'There were no fractures or injury marks on the carcass of the tiger,' he stated. The final second autopsy report is expected to take at least two days.

Villager Protests and Violence Against Forest Staff

The fatal attack triggered significant anger among local residents, who protested against what they described as repeated tiger incursions in the area. During the demonstrations, angry villagers allegedly assaulted a forest ranger and manhandled a woman forest staffer. The incidents reflect deep-seated tension between communities living on the fringes of the reserve and wildlife management authorities.

Notably, this is not the first such conflict episode near Bandhavgarh, which sits in Umaria district and is one of India's most densely populated tiger habitats. Human-tiger conflict is periodically reported in and around the reserve's buffer zones.

Investigation and Next Steps

The Madhya Pradesh Forest Department has initiated a detailed investigation into the entire episode, covering both the attack and the circumstances of the tiger's death. Authorities have appealed for calm and assured residents that necessary safety measures are being put in place. The outcome of the second autopsy is expected to be a critical piece of evidence in the department's findings.