The Chief Wildlife Warden of Rajasthan recently formed an inquiry committee to investigate the troubling disappearance of 25 tigers from Ranthambhore. Initial findings indicate that the tigers went missing in two phases: 11 were unaccounted for prior to 2024, and an additional 14 disappeared within the past 12 months. Shortly after the investigation began, authorities reported that 10 of these tigers had been located in the field, leaving 15 still missing.

This article examines the profiles and last-known sightings of these missing tigers, based on Tiger Watch’s detailed database, to help shed light on possible reasons for their disappearance.

• Five of these tigers—T3, T13, T38, T41, and T48—are over 15 years old, some reaching as old as 19-20 years.
• Two others, T54 and T63, are 13-14 years old and likely nearing the end of their natural lifespan.
• This tigress T99 experienced pregnancy complications that led to a miscarriage in February 2024. Despite extensive veterinary care, she survived. Recently, there were reports that she might have been pregnant again, though this is unconfirmed. It’s possible similar complications reoccurred, which could explain her current condition.

• Tiger T74, at over 12 years old, may have been displaced by dominant tigers T121 and T112, who quickly took over her territory.
• Tigress T79 disappeared under mysterious circumstances, prompting an immediate search by the forest department, which found her two cubs. She primarily lived outside Ranthambhore in the Kanduli area, and her survival in such challenging conditions was remarkable.
• The most significant loss involves five young male tigers, likely due to intense competition with Ranthambhore’s dominant males. In the wild, male tigers face fierce territorial rivalry, often leading to deadly confrontations where only the strongest survive. According to a detailed analysis by the forest department, younger males—such as T128, T131, T139, and T2401—were frequently observed roaming extensively in search of unclaimed territories. Territorial conflicts with established dominant males are a probable cause of their disappearance.
• The disappearance of a female tiger (T138) is a matter of concern, and among the 15 missing tigers, the absence of this sub-adult tigress is particularly worrisome.

In addition to natural rivalry, human-related factors must also be considered. These young males could have fallen victim to conflicts with local communities, including poisoning or other man-made threats. Past incidents, such as the deaths of T114 and her cub and T57, who were poisoned near cattle carcasses, underscore the ongoing risk of human-wildlife conflict. One recent example involves a young male who was displaced by the dominant tigers of Khandar, forcing him to remain on the park’s outskirts as a sub-adult while he seeks a secure territory.

The disappearance of tigers from Ranthambhore can be attributed to a combination of age, health complications, territorial struggles, and human-related factors. Older tigers, such as T3, T13, T38, T41, and T48, likely succumbed to natural causes due to their advanced age. Tigers typically live up to around 15 years, making survival beyond that age increasingly difficult. While it is remarkable that these tigers survived in Ranthambhore for so long, once they passed the age of 15, they faced immense challenges. Their breeding ceased, and they struggled to maintain their health and territories in the face of mounting competition from younger, dominant tigers.

Tigers like T54, T63, T74, and T79, also in their later years, may have faced significant difficulty in defending their territories from younger, more dominant rivals. As older tigers tend to retreat to the periphery of the park—such as T54, who resided on the outskirts of the Talra range—the chances of conflicts with human populations increase. This was evident in the case of T86, who faced such challenges.

Once the aged female T63, who had previously delivered cubs three times and used to live in the center of the park in the Khandar Valley, was nearly declared dead by the forest officer in the Audi Kho area, the authorities provided her with bait, even stating at one point that she would not survive.

The most significant loss involves four young male and a female tiger —T128, T131, T139, T2401, and T138 —likely victims of territorial conflicts. Male tigers are often engaged in fierce competition for dominance, with only the strongest surviving. According to a detailed analysis by the forest department, these younger males were frequently observed roaming in search of unclaimed territories. Territorial disputes with dominant males could very well be the cause of their disappearance.

However, human-related factors must also be considered. These young males may have been exposed to threats from local communities, such as poisoning or other man-made risks. Previous incidents in the region, such as the poisoning of T114 and her cub, as well as T57 near cattle carcasses, underscore the persistent danger posed by human-wildlife conflict. A recent example includes a young male who was pushed to the park’s outskirts by the dominant tigers of Khandar and is now forced to roam outside the park as a sub-adult, in search of a safe territory.

Finally, Tigress T99, who suffered complications during her pregnancy, may have experienced a recurrence of these issues, potentially accounting for her absence.

This review highlights the urgent need for continued monitoring and proactive measures to address the challenges facing the tiger population in Ranthambhore. By gaining a deeper understanding of these threats, we can develop more effective strategies to mitigate risks and ensure the long-term survival of this iconic species.