The tigress that killed four women imprisoned in Maharashtra

Forest officials said on Sunday (May 24, 2026) that the tigress that mauled four women to death has been tranquilized and trapped in Sindewahi taluka of Maharashtra’s Chandrapur district.

“The tigress was seen near the Pawanpar pond in Sindewahi taluka of Bramhapuri forest division where it was tranquilized using an arrow,” said a forest official.

On Friday, a tigress attacked four women in the Gunjewahi forest area while they were harvesting tendu patta (Indian ebony leaf). According to reports, a group of seven women went into the forest to collect leaves, a seasonal produce that is the main source of income for tribal families in summer. A forest official pointed out that the attack came to light when three women from the group returned in search of the four missing women.

The deceased are: Kavdabai Mohurle (45), Anitabai Mohurle (40), Sunita Mohurle (38) and Sangeeta Chaudhary (50). The forest department has installed three live cameras and 30 traps to track the movement of the animal.

The attack has sparked anger among residents who have been living in constant fear as two deaths have been reported in the same region in the past two months. On April 18, one Baliram was killed while picking flowers, while on March 25, a man passing by was killed in a tiger attack.

Let us recall that the majority of attacks are made by female tigers and their juveniles (1.5 to 2.5 years old), who are usually pushed out of the protected forest area. According to forest department data, 929 people were injured and 184 died from 2021 to 2025, and the number continues to rise. As of July 2025, Brahmapuri division, part of Chandrapur forest circle, with an area of ​​over 4,081 km2, has the highest number of cubs at 67; sub-adults under the age of 16; and women aged 39 years. The circle is also home to the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve.

Wildlife and environment experts believe that with shrinking forests and increasing tiger population and human activities, human-tiger conflict is intensifying in the Chandrapur circle. They sought immediate steps towards peaceful coexistence of man and wildlife.

Published – 24 May 2026 22:17 IST