Union Government Launches Inquiry into Elephant Deaths at Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
New Delhi:
The Union Government has initiated an investigation into the recent deaths of 10 elephants at the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh. A team from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) will conduct an independent inquiry into the incident, which preliminary reports suggest may have been caused by poisoning.
In parallel, the Madhya Pradesh government has established a five-member committee to further examine the situation. This committee, led by the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), includes representatives from civil society, scientific experts, and veterinarians. The committee is tasked with compiling a detailed report on the circumstances surrounding the elephants’ deaths.
The inquiry follows the alarming discovery of four deceased elephants on October 29, 2024, in the Salkhania area of the reserve. A subsequent search revealed six more elephants in distress. Despite immediate veterinary intervention, four additional elephants succumbed to their condition by October 31.
Authorities are investigating the possible ingestion of toxins, with postmortem examinations and toxicological analyses underway to determine the exact cause of death. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests is actively overseeing the investigation on-site, supported by officials from the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
Preventive measures are being implemented to safeguard remaining elephant populations, and monitoring efforts have been intensified in the area. The tragic incident has raised significant concerns about wildlife safety in the region, particularly given the previous reports of elephant-human conflicts due to crop raiding.
The investigation continues as officials work to clarify the factors leading to this unfortunate event and prevent future occurrences.
