Five tigers, including one tigress and her four cubs, have been found dead in the M.M. Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka’s Chamarajanagar district. The discovery was made on Thursday, prompting forest officials to launch an investigation due to concerns over inadequate surveillance that may have contributed to their deaths. It is suspected that the tigers were poisoned after they ate a cow carcass, which was also found near the scene.
The tigers are believed to have been killed on Wednesday, June 25, and their deaths were revealed the following day. While the exact cause remains unconfirmed, preliminary evidence suggests poisoning is the likely culprit. The bodies were located in the Gajanur beat of the Meenyam Section within the Hoogyam range of the sanctuary.
The tigress was identified as being 11 years old and had been noted first in 2014 when she was approximately six to eight months old. Initial examinations indicate that she and the other tigers may have consumed a tainted carcass, which some believe was tampered with malevolently.
Environmental activists are raising alarms about the alleged failure of forest watchers to monitor the area adequately, reportedly due to unpaid salaries for the past three months. Joseph Hoover, a noted environmentalist, remarked on the situation, questioning how the watchers can fulfill their duties under such conditions.
In response to this tragic event, Karnataka’s Forests, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B. Khandre has acknowledged the severity of the situation. He has ordered a thorough investigation and vowed to take strict action against those responsible, confirming that the evidence suggests the deaths were not natural. He stated, “Preliminary reports indicate that all these are unnatural deaths. According to protocol, a postmortem will be conducted. This is a heart-wrenching incident.”
The inquiry will be overseen by a high-level committee made up of senior forest officials, a veterinary officer, and a wildlife expert, which has been tasked with providing a report on its findings within 14 days. Blood samples from the deceased tigers will undergo testing for toxicology, histopathology, and DNA profiling following necropsies.
Original Source: https://www.firstpost.com/india/5-tigers-killed-in-karnataka-in-a-single-day-officials-suspect-poisoning-13900944.html
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Publish Date: 2025-06-27 12:30:00
