Popular among tourists, ‘Pujari’ tiger of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, found dead

Pujari was popular among tourists because of his ritual of taking a dip in a waterhole before wandering through the forest

Published on: May 11, 2026, 19:32:07 IST

By Shruti Tomar, Bhopal

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A 10-year-old tiger, known as Pujari, was found dead on Monday in Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve’s (BTR) Khitauli range in Umaria district.

Preliminary findings point to a territorial clash. (X/ gaurravbhrdwj)

Preliminary findings point to a territorial clash in the Dhamdhama area of the range as the likely cause, officials said.

Pujari was popular among tourists because of his ritual of taking a dip in a waterhole before wandering through the forest. His appearance and distinctive routine made him popular.

BTR field director Anupam Sahay said, “On Sunday night, field staff heard roaring and fighting between two tigers. They maintained a watch, and by Monday morning launched a search operation. The carcass was located in the Dhamdhama area.”

Soon after, a team comprising veterinarians, elephant patrol units, a dog squad, and forensic experts reached the site.

Also Read: Tiger that killed two farmers dies days after arrival at Kanpur Zoo

“Prima facie, the death appears to be the result of a territorial conflict. The body bears attack marks, though all parts were intact. The exact cause will be confirmed after the post-mortem and detailed probe,” Sahay said.

Officials said all subsequent actions are being carried out strictly in line with NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority) guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures. A team of veterinarians is currently conducting the post-mortem examination.

Bandhavgarh is regarded as one of India’s most densely populated tiger reserves. With rising tiger numbers, forest authorities are working to redevelop corridors linking Bandhavgarh, Sanjay, and Guru Ghasidas–Tamor Pingla reserves. The aim is to facilitate dispersal of the population and reduce the risk of fatal territorial clashes.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shruti Tomar
I have spent over a decade chronicling Madhya Pradesh’s political and social landscape, covering politics, investigative journalism, crime, human interest, and government policy, blending sharp insight with ground‑level depth. I have closely tracked three assembly elections, three Lok Sabha elections, leadership transitions in MP while exposing governance lapses, tender irregularities, and flawed policy rollouts. My reports have revealed gaps in the Cheetah project, irregularities in medical education, rigging in recruitment exams, and loopholes in policy implementation. In crime reporting, I have moved beyond FIRs to map systemic patterns — from organised crime networks and gender‑based violence to custodial accountability — balancing urgency with sensitivity. My journalism is defined by a commitment to human interest. I have profiled the marginalised Bancchda community, documented atrocities against tribal groups, and highlighted efforts to preserve their culture through heritage liquor and revival of spiritual practices. I have reported on farmers struggling with failed MSP promises, giving voice to those often reduced to statistics in policy files. Passionate about field reporting, I have reported on rampant sand mining in Chambal and Narmada, pharmaceutical companies supplying medicines under altered names, the dire condition of schools and colleges, the plight of commercial sex workers, and skewed sex ratios in specific districts. Beyond deadlines, and as HT’s state correspondent and assistant editor in Madhya Pradesh, I engage with ministers, farmers, students, and activists, believing the best policy stories begin with a single human voice. A postgraduate in Journalism and Mass Communication, I also hold a diploma in sports journalism.Read More

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