Bhubaneswar: At least 34 leopards and three Royal Bengal Tigers (RBT) have died in Odisha in last five years, the state Assembly was informed on Tuesday.
Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia shared this information while replying to a question by Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati.
The Minister stated that as many as 34 leopards and three RBTs have died in different forests in the state between 2019-20 and 2024-25.
Out of the 34 leopards which died, 17 were killed by poachers, three were electrocuted after coming in contact with live wire, one in railway accident, three in accidental hits by vehicles, four died a natural death and three due to unknown reasons.
Out of the three RBT deaths in the corresponding period, one was due to poaching, one death took place due to infighting and one due to unspecified reasons
The Minister further stated that as per All Odisha Tiger Estimation Report, there are currently 30 RBT in the state. As per All Odisha Leopard Estimation Report 2024, there are 696 leopards in the state, he said.
