MUMBAI, July 6 -- As many as 22 tigers and 40 leopards died in Maharashtra in the first four months of the year, the total number of tiger deaths since 2022 clocking 129. This was revealed by forest minister Ganesh Naik in the state assembly on Friday. He noted that hunting was one of several reasons for these deaths. The death of wild animals, especially tigers and leopards, was raised by legislators in the lower house on Friday. They alleged that human intervention was drawing them out of the forest. They also sought to know the action taken by the state government to protect these animals. In his written reply, Naik told the lower house that 22 tigers had lost their lives between January and April. He said 13 had died of natural causes, four due to electric shock, and another four owing to accidents by trains and other vehicles. The reason for one death is unknown. "Similarly, 40 leopards died during the same period this year. Among them, three were hunted down, eight died due to natural causes, and 20 owing to accidents by trains and other vehicles. The reason for the death of nine leopards could not be ascertained, Naik said. He further said the state government is investigating the deaths of 107 tigers between January 2022 and December 2024, and that reports are awaited. He added that 129 tigers have died in the state since 2022....