Seven elephants have been discovered dead in the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, raising concerns among wildlife officials and prompting an investigation into the causes of these tragic deaths. Three additional elephants from the same herd are currently receiving medical treatment.
The exact cause of death for the seven elephants is still unknown, as a post-mortem is being conducted at Jabalpur’s School of Wildlife Forensics and Health. Veterinarians from the nearby Pench and Kanha forests are assisting in the examination. Preliminary reports suggest that the deaths may be linked to pesticide exposure, as farmers reportedly sprayed chemicals on nearby crops.
Currently, the health of the remaining members of the herd, the 11th and 12th elephants, is reported to be normal. Senior wildlife officials, including Nandakishore Kale, the Assistant Inspector-General for the National Tiger Conservation Authority’s Central Zone, are on-site to monitor the situation.
In response to the alarming deaths, the Delhi-based Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has established a committee to investigate potential cases of elephant poaching. Concurrently, a state-level inquiry is also underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the elephants’ demise.
The crisis came to light when two elephants were found dead during regular patrols of the reserve. The situation escalated when five more elephants were located nearby, also in poor health.
The Bandhavgarh reserve has recently been in the spotlight due to a series of tiger deaths that led to a major administrative shake-up in August. A special report by NDTV highlighted issues within the department’s handling of wildlife deaths, pointing to procedural lapses and negligence by officials.
As investigations continue, authorities are under pressure to ensure the safety and well-being of wildlife in the reserve and address the alarming trend of animal deaths in the area.
Sources By Agencies
