5 Tigers Found Dead In Karnataka, Sparking Outcry Over Unpaid Forest Staff And Lax Surveillance

News18

2 days ago

Poisoning is strongly suspected as the cause, with a laced cow carcass found nearby believed to have been the fatal bait. The tragic incident is thought to have occurred on 25 June
A pall of grief and outrage has descended upon the M.M. Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka's Chamarajanagar district following the discovery of five dead tigers – a mother and her four cubs – on Thursday, 26 June. Poisoning is strongly suspected as the cause, with a laced cow carcass found nearby believed to have been the fatal bait. The tragic incident, thought to have occurred on Wednesday, 25 June, has not only highlighted the vulnerability of India's tiger population but also ignited a fierce debate over alleged administrative lapses within the forest department.
The 11-year-old tigress, first identified in 2014, is believed to have killed and partially consumed the cow before returning to the poisoned remains with her unsuspecting offspring. In the wake of this devastating loss, environmental activists have swiftly pointed fingers at the alleged non-payment of salaries to forest watchers for the past three months. Activists allege that this led to critical gaps in surveillance and monitoring, potentially enabling unauthorised entry into the sanctuary and the subsequent poisoning.
Joseph Hoover, a prominent environmentalist, did not mince words, questioning the efficacy of the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF). 'What was the DCF doing?" Hoover said. 'These forest watchers have not been paid for months, and they have raised these issues with the officers. How do we expect them to go into the forest and do their duty?"
Karnataka's Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment, Eshwar B. Khandre, has acknowledged the gravity of the situation, calling for a detailed report and vowing stringent action against those responsible. He confirmed that initial indications suggest tiger deaths were unnatural. 'Preliminary reports indicate that all these are unnatural deaths. According to protocol, a postmortem will be conducted. This is a heart-wrenching incident. I am instructing the vigilance squad to work more efficiently and increase monitoring rounds at all national parks and sanctuaries in the state," he said.
A high-level inquiry committee, comprising senior forest officials, a veterinary officer, and a wildlife expert, has been constituted to expedite the investigation. The committee is expected to submit its findings within 14 days. Samples have been collected for toxicology, histopathology and DNA profiling after necropsies were conducted in line with the NTCA protocol.
In response to the crisis, authorities have announced intensified measures, including increased monitoring, real-time surveillance with infrared cameras, GPS-based patrolling, heightened alerts for anti-poaching camps, and sweeps for snares and traps. These efforts aim to bolster the safety of Karnataka's significant tiger population, which, at 563, ranks as the second-highest in the country.
The ongoing investigation into the tiger deaths is now heavily focused on tracing the ownership and origin of the poisoned cow. Forest officials are currently interrogating local herdsmen, though residents are denying ownership of the carcass. The perplexing question of how the cow came to be in the sanctuary – including the possibility that it was brought from elsewhere – remains a key puzzle.
Furthermore, authorities are scrutinising whether any cattle grazing took place within the forest area and, if so, who authorised it — raising critical questions about potential negligence by forest officials. The probe aims to definitively ascertain whether herdsmen were involved in the poisoning or whether hunters are responsible for setting the fatal bait.