the death toll among elephants in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve has reached seven within two days, with authorities investigating suspected poisoning.
The deaths have prompted an urgent response from Madhya Pradesh’s Forest Minister Ramniwas Rawat, who announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident and take strict action against those responsible.
Deputy Director of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR), Prakash Kumar Verma, has indicated that initial evidence points to 'Kodo' millet consumption as a possible cause of the deaths.
However, he noted, "The exact cause will be determined only after the postmortem results are available."
The elephants that died were part of a herd of 13, four of which were initially found deceased on Tuesday in the Salkhania and Bakeli areas of the Khitauli range, during routine forest patrols.
Three others from the group later succumbed, raising the toll to seven, while the condition of three more elephants remains critical, according to Verma.
Forest Minister Rawat expressed his sorrow over the incident, describing the loss of the elephants as "heart-breaking."
In a statement posted on X late Tuesday night, Rawat undstressed on the gravity of the situation, saying, "In view of the seriousness of the issue, officials have been directed to immediately constitute an SIT and take strict action against the culprits."
An NTCA investigation team has arrived in Bandhavgarh, where a comprehensive postmortem process, led by a team of eight veterinarians, is currently underway.
To ensure proper burial after examination, 300 sacks of salt have been ordered, and pits are being dug with the help of JCB machines, BTR’s Deputy Director Verma said.
The state has deployed multiple veterinary experts from Bandhavgarh, Sanjay Tiger Reserve, Katni, Umaria, and the School of Wildlife Forensic and Health in Jabalpur, working round-the-clock to stabilise the remaining elephants.
Additionally, a Special Task Force (STF) has begun an intensive search within a five-kilometre radius of the incident, checking for any contaminants in local ponds, fields, and water sources.
Park managers are receiving real-time guidance from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, and other experts.
The reserve, which houses approximately 60 elephants, has not experienced a fatality event of this scale before.
As authorities await postmortem results, they have vowed to leave no stone unturned in the investigation, with SIT findings expected to play a crucial role in uncovering the truth behind the deaths of these precious pachyderms.
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