Bhubaneswar: Over the last five years, Odisha has witnessed the deaths of 34 leopards and 3 Royal Bengal Tigers in its forests, according to Forests, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia.
In a written reply to a query from Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati from Jeypore in the Odisha Assembly on Tuesday, the Minister revealed that of the 34 leopard deaths recorded between 2019-20 and 2024-25 (till November 26, 2024), 17 were due to poaching, three from electrocution, and one each from a railway accident and another unspecified accident.
Additionally, three leopards died in road accidents, three from disease, and four due to natural causes. The cause of three deaths remains undetermined, the Minister added.
Similarly, 3 Royal Bengal Tigers have died during the same period, the Minister said.
Out of the three, one died due to hunting, one due to internal conflict and the cause of death of one is unclear, the Minister added.
The latest All Odisha Tiger Estimation Report indicates the state is home to 30 Royal Bengal Tigers. Meanwhile, the 2024 Leopard Estimation Report counted 696 leopards across Odisha.
