India, Dec. 14 -- Madhya Pradesh's tiger mortality has climbed to 50 this year, the highest annual toll since Project Tiger began in 1973, after two tiger cubs were found dead in Sanjay Tiger Reserve this week. Forest officials said the carcasses, estimated to be around nine months old, were discovered during routine patrolling and bore injuries suggesting an attack by an adult male tiger. A team of veterinarians conducted post-mortem examinations and sent samples for forensic analysis. The incident occurred on the night of 10-11 December, according to officials familiar with the inquiry.

The count had earlier risen to 48 after a tiger was found dead just days ago in Katangi, Balaghat, pushing the state beyond previous mortality highs ev...