A Royal Bengal Tiger was found dead in the Sundarbans on Friday. The carcass of the adult tiger was discovered near Boni Camp, a popular spot under the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve Project, and was later recovered by forest department staff.
The incident occurred on August 15, coinciding with the nation’s 79th Independence Day celebrations. While the country was immersed in festivities, the Sundarbans lost one of its most majestic inhabitants—the animal often referred to as the “king” of the mangrove forest.
“On Friday, the body of a tiger was recovered from the forest near Boni Camp. The carcass was sent for autopsy, and preliminary findings suggest that the tiger died of old age,” South 24 Parganas Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Nisha Goswami said.
The Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, is home to more than 100 Royal Bengal Tigers. “Famous for their elusive presence and fearsome aura, these tigers remain the chief attraction for tourists visiting the region. Boni Camp, in particular, is a key tourism site, with its watchtowers and freshwater ponds that often draw wild animals, including tigers, seeking water,” said a forest department official.
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The news of the tiger’s death has left many in the area shocked. For decades, the Royal Bengal Tiger has been a symbol of both fear and fascination in the delta region—an animal that evokes awe in those who manage to catch even a fleeting glimpse.
“Historically, tiger killings were not uncommon in the Sundarbans, often triggered by human-animal conflict. Tigers that strayed into villages rarely made it back to the forest, while humans hunted the tiger’s prey — deer and wild boar — for food. However, since the launch of Project Tiger in 1973, conservation efforts have significantly reduced such conflicts,” said the official.
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