38 elephants, 9 tigers died in Chhattisgarh in last 26 months: State govt data

Among the 38 elephant deaths recorded during the period, 14 were caused by electrocution and 10 due to drowning

Published on: Mar 10, 2026, 20:58:23 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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As many as 38 elephants and nine tigers died due to electrocution, poaching and infighting, in Chhattisgarh over the last 26 months, state forest minister Kedar Kashyap informed the legislative assembly on Tuesday.

In addition, 562 other wild animals , including leopards, bears, blue bulls, died during the same period due to different causes. (Image sourced from WWF)

In addition, 562 other wild animals , including leopards, bears, blue bulls and cheetal, died during the same period due to different causes, Kashyap said in a written reply to a question by Congress MLA Sheshraj Harbansh.

Harbansh had sought details of tiger and elephant deaths in the state between December 2023 and January 2026, including their locations, time and causes. He also asked for species-wise and forest division-wise details of unnatural deaths of other wildlife during the period.

In his reply, Kashyap told the House that nine tigers and 38 elephants died during the period.

According to the data provided by the forest department, two of the tiger deaths occurred due to electrocution caused by illegal electric fencing installed by poachers, while two others were attributed to infighting among the animals.

Also Read: Elephant injured after eating food filled with explosives in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj

An eight-year-old tiger from Raipur’s Nandan Van Zoo and Safari also died on October 10 last year at Vantara, a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre in Gujarat’s Jamnagar district, due to multiple organ failure, the minister said.

Among the 38 elephant deaths recorded during the period, 14 were caused by electrocution and 10 due to drowning, according to the reply.

The minister further said that of the 562 deaths of other wild animals, 145 were reported at Nandan Van Zoo and Safari in Raipur — five in December 2023, 61 in 2024, 76 in 2025 and three in January 2026. The causes included infighting, asphyxia, heat stroke, pneumonia and infection, he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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