Uttarakhand Tiger Deaths: Two Tigers Found Dead in Haldwani Forest Division, Probe Underway
Two tigers were found dead in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani forest division, with preliminary findings suggesting they died from injuries sustained during an inter-tiger fight. Forest officials ruled out immediate signs of poaching after finding all body parts intact. Postmortem examinations were conducted as per NTCA guidelines, while forensic reports will determine the final cause of death.
Two tigers were found dead in the reserved forest area of the Chhakata range under Uttarakhand’s Haldwani forest division, with preliminary investigations suggesting that the big cats may have died due to injuries sustained during an inter-tiger conflict. Forest officials said the carcasses were discovered by patrolling staff in the Northern Khera beat of the Chhakata range in Nainital district on Sunday evening, July 26.
Haldwani forest division’s divisional forest officer (DFO) Kundan Kumar said initial findings indicate that both tigers suffered severe injuries during a fight. Officials conducted postmortems following the standard operating procedures prescribed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), while further forensic examination is underway to confirm the exact cause of death.
DFO Kundan Kumar said the postmortem examinations were carried out in the presence of forest officials, veterinarians, wildlife experts and representatives from various organisations. The examinations were attended by the DFO, sub-divisional officer (SDO), senior veterinarians Dr Rahul Sati and Dr Himanshu Pangti from Nainital Zoo, a wildlife biologist, the concerned ranger, representatives of WWF, members of the public and forest department officials. ‘Langdi’ Dies: Tigress T-20 Passes Away in Karmajhiri Range Due to Old Age, Was Last Sighted Just 2 Days Ago.
The postmortem reports estimated the ages of the two tigers to be between three and four years and four and five years, respectively. “One of the tigers had suffered a punctured femoral artery, while the other had sustained a ruptured jugular vein,” Kumar said.
Forest officials said all body parts of both tigers were found intact, ruling out immediate indications of poaching. “All body parts of both animals were found intact, ruling out any immediate signs of poaching,” Kumar said. Officials also collected and preserved forensic samples from the site according to prescribed procedures for further investigation. ‘Devotee Tiger’ Viral Video: Big Cat Seen Rubbing Head On Sacred Shivling in Madhya Pradesh’s Katni Forest.
Based on preliminary postmortem findings, authorities said the deaths appeared to have resulted from fatal injuries caused during a fight between the two tigers. However, officials said the final cause of death will be confirmed only after forensic examination reports are received.
“Further investigation is underway, and the final cause of death will be established after the forensic examination reports are received,” Kumar added.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 27, 2026 03:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).