Madhya Pradesh, which is trying to regain its tiger state status, has lost nine majestic beasts in 2013, according to a National Tiger Conservation Authority's report. Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve has lost five majestic beasts - the highest number of tigers in MP this year.

Except one tiger that was electrocuted by the poachers in the wild of Katni forest division on February 25, MP forest officials said that the rest have died in fights among the striped animal or natural deaths. According to the NTCA report, many deaths of tigers in MP were under investigation.

The first death of the cub took place in MP's Panna Tiger Reserve on February 2. An adult tiger killed the cub in Panna. The last death of tiger was reported from Bandhavgarh on November 12. One tiger died in Kanha Tiger Reserve while the death of one tiger was reported from Pench Tiger Reserve.

Madhya Pradesh had lost its tag of tiger state to Karnataka during the last tiger counting three years ago. According to the tiger census report of 2011, MP had 257 big cats while striped animal population was pegged at 300 in Karnataka.

After the last census report, MP was trying hard to regain the tiger state status. So far this year, India has lost 63 majestic beats, the NTCA report said. In 2012, India lost 72 tigers.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) Narendra Kumar said that except one tiger that was electrocuted by poachers in Katni, no striped animal had been poached in MP. About NTCA's remark that six deaths of tiger were under investigation in the state, he said that such observation was made when the authority was not fully satisfied with the state's reports. "We will satisfy them with our investigation report," he added.

Kumar said that patrolling was being done round-the-clock in the reserves adding that forest department has also set up a cyber cell to keep a watch on poachers. He said that after a poacher or a suspect was detained, his phone records are checked and examined. "This help us a lot to check poaching," he said.