Injured tiger dies in the Nilgiris

The male tiger that was found with serious injuries, most probably caused due to in-fighting with another animal, died on Monday (January 5, 2026) just a few hundred meters away from where it was first seen two days ago in the Nilgiris district.

Forest department officials said the animal was found with injuries with those caused due to in-fighting between two large predators, most likely sustained in a fight with another tiger. The animal was seen near Porthi village, just a few kilometers from Udhagamandalam town, close to the Udhagai South Forest Range amid tea bushes.

The animal was noticed by local residents, who informed the forest department. Staff and officials from the Udhagai South Forest Range said that the animal was being monitored using thermal drones and that it had moved a few hundred feet from where it was last seen on Saturday (January 3).

On Monday, officials confirmed that the animal had died from its injuries after they noticed that it stopped showing signs of any movement when it was being monitored using a drone. Following its death, a post-mortem is to be conducted, with officials stating that the animal showed signs of injury sustained due to in-fighting.

The forest department had decided not to directly intervene in treating the animal as the injury was most likely sustained due to natural causes. Forest staff had maintained a constant vigil to ensure that people did not stray too close to the animal.