420 People Killed in Attacks by Wild Animals in Maharashtra in 5 Years

Mumbai: A total of 420 people have died in attacks by wild animals in Maharashtra in the last five years, and 104 of these deaths were caused by tigers and leopards, state Forest Minister Ganesh Naik said on Friday. In his written reply to the legislative council, he said that 47 deaths were recorded in 2025 in Chandrapur district in Vidarbha region alone and Rs 8.27 million was paid as financial assistance to the relatives of the deceased.

More than 200 tigers live in the Chandrapur district. He said that between 2023-25, 91 deaths due to tigers were recorded in the region, while other animals were responsible for 10 deaths. Naik said Junnar Wildlife Unit (in Pune district) has recorded 27 deaths in the last seven years.

The state government had sent a proposal to the central government to sterilize 150 leopards. He added that the forest authorities in Junnar sterilized five leopards after the Center gave in-principle approval to the proposal.

He said Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used to prevent instances of human-animal conflict. “The government is considering using artificial intelligence and modern technology on a large scale,” the minister said.