Male tiger found dead in VTR; electrocution by illegal fence suspected
Bettiah: A male tiger was found dead in a sugar cane field at Purainia village under the Manguraha forest range of the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in West Champaran district on Wednesday morning. Forest department officials suspect the big cat was electrocuted after coming in contact with an electrified fence installed illegally around the field. An investigation into the incident has begun.
“A patrolling team from the Manpur range under VTR Division-1 spotted the tiger’s carcass near Purainia village during routine rounds and informed senior officials immediately. They reached the spot and began an investigation. The carcass was found intact,” said Neshamani K, forest conservator and VTR director of West Champaran district.
He said farmers had fenced the field with electrified wires to protect crops from wild animals. It is suspected that the tiger came in contact with the live wire and died of electrocution. “A wire recovered from the spot supports the suspicion of electrocution. The department is thoroughly investigating the matter, and anyone found guilty will face action under the Wildlife Protection Act,” he said.
The VTR director further said that a team of veterinarians conducted the autopsy, and, as per protocol, viscera samples would be sent to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly for analysis. The autopsy report will clarify the exact cause of the death, he added.
According to official data, VTR currently has 54 tigers, and the population has been steadily rising. However, three tigers have died in the past two years due to infighting or other causes. In August 2024, a male tiger died in a territorial clash in the Manguraha forest area. Two other tiger deaths were reported in March 2024 and May 2025.
“A patrolling team from the Manpur range under VTR Division-1 spotted the tiger’s carcass near Purainia village during routine rounds and informed senior officials immediately. They reached the spot and began an investigation. The carcass was found intact,” said Neshamani K, forest conservator and VTR director of West Champaran district.
He said farmers had fenced the field with electrified wires to protect crops from wild animals. It is suspected that the tiger came in contact with the live wire and died of electrocution. “A wire recovered from the spot supports the suspicion of electrocution. The department is thoroughly investigating the matter, and anyone found guilty will face action under the Wildlife Protection Act,” he said.
The VTR director further said that a team of veterinarians conducted the autopsy, and, as per protocol, viscera samples would be sent to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly for analysis. The autopsy report will clarify the exact cause of the death, he added.
According to official data, VTR currently has 54 tigers, and the population has been steadily rising. However, three tigers have died in the past two years due to infighting or other causes. In August 2024, a male tiger died in a territorial clash in the Manguraha forest area. Two other tiger deaths were reported in March 2024 and May 2025.
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