Tiger and her four cubs found dead in MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka, poisoning suspected

A tiger and her four cubs were found dead in the MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka on June 26, sending shock waves among conservationists.

Though the initial reports are sketchy, officials suspect it to be a case of poisoning.

The carcasses of the five tigers were found near Meenyam, in the Hoogyam range of MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary.

T. Heeralal, Chief Conservator of Forests, Chamarajanagar Circle, said, “Prima facie, it appears to be a case of poisoning. We are awaiting the post-mortem report. But, it is definitely a case of unnatural death.”

There is speculation that the tiger had killed a cow and dragged it inside the forest. It had partially consumed the kill and is suspected to have returned to pick up the rest of the carcass, which might have been poisoned by some local villagers, leading to the death of the tiger and its cubs.

Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Eshwar B. Khandre has sought a report on the tiger deaths within three days. “The guilty will not be spared,” he said.

An inquiry will be conducted by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife). The Minister said that the government of Karnataka has taken the tiger deaths seriously. “It is a matter of great concern that as many as five tigers died in a single day,” he added.

With 563 tigers, Karnataka ranks second in India in terms of tiger population. “The death of five tigers in a single day in a State known for its success in tiger conservation is deeply distressing,” the Minister said.

A team led by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests has been instructed to immediately visit the site, and conduct a thorough investigation. If negligence by forest staff or causes such as electrocution or poisoning is confirmed, officials have been told to register a criminal case against the culprits.

The MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over 906 sq. km. and is home to tigers, leopards, elephants, apart from a variety of prey species. Though there was a proposal to upgrade the MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary to a tiger reserve, it was put on hold in the run-up to the 2023 Assembly elections, and has not been revived.