Bengaluru: In a shocking case reported from Karnataka, a tigress and her 4 cubs were found dead in the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. Officials termed it the worst single-day tiger death toll at a single place. The forest officials suspect that the deaths are a result of poisoning.
Poison laced in tigers’ food: Officials
Officials said that the tigress had killed a cow just a few days ago. The officials suspect that the tigress and her cubs fed on a carcass which had been laced with poison. The carcass was a bait to kill the animals, they said. An autopsy is scheduled to be held on Friday, which would confirm the cause of the death of the animals.
Talking about the deaths, Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre said, “Five tigers, including a mother tiger and four cubs, have died at Male Mahadeshwara Hills. I have given orders for a high-level enquiry. We are shocked and saddened by this incident. A post-mortem will be conducted in accordance with the established protocol.”
The enquiry report is to be submitted in 3 days. Sources quoted by the Times of India said, that human-animal conflicts are on the rise in and around the MM Hills area. It has reached such proportions that some villagers have tried to kill the animals, by resorting to tactics like poisoning and snaring.
Khandre said that if the probe reveals negligence on part of the forest officials, or electrocution or poisoning to have caused the animals death, those responsible would face the heat of the law. He said that criminal cases will be filed against the accused.
With 563 tigers, Karnataka has the second highest population of predators in the country, just behind Madhya Pradesh. However wildlife watchers and conservationists have repeatedly warned that tiger habitats in the state are under pressure. The MM Hills sanctuary has not received the status of a tiger reserve for 15 years now. A tiger reserve status could limit commercial activities in the area and improve conservation efforts, according to experts.
