Tigers that change their stripes become more aggressive in preying on humans: study

New Delhi:

As the number of tigers and humans increases, human-animal conflict has intensified, leading to more cases of tiger attacks. Compared to the first half of 2024, the number of deaths increased by 1 person in the same period of 2025. Paradoxically, tiger attacks on cattle made them part of the village economy, and the government paid huge compensation for killing cattle. This and more is revealed in a report released today by the Center for Science and the Environment (CSE) and Down To Earth magazine.

The report also said that in four cases the tigers ate part of their prey, which is a bigger deviation than the norm. Big cats attack humans, but only become man-eaters when the animal in question is old or sick.

According to the India Environment Report 2026 (SOE 2026), at least 43 people were killed near tiger reserves between January and June 2025. In 2024, that number was 44.

This is because the territories of tigers and humans are increasingly overlapping, the report said.

The report cited a recent study showing that in the 20 states where tigers live, about 40% of tiger territory is shared by 60 million people.

As reserve forests become saturated with tiger populations, the animals are venturing outside the reserves in search of food.

To this, the report adds a twist: the area of ​​lantana forest is increasing in Indian forests. Lantana, an ornamental hedge plant brought to India by the British in the 19th century, has now invaded India’s forests, scrublands and village commons, occupying 50% of the country’s land area.

In the process, they have driven out native grasses and plants from deer and other herbivores, the tigers’ usual prey, and further pushed the big cats into the villages in search of easier and larger prey, cattle.