Daijiworld Media Network – Chamarajanagar/Bengaluru
Chamarajanagar/Bengaluru, June 28: In a deeply disturbing case that has rattled conservationists and forest officials alike, veterinarians have confirmed that five tigers found dead in the Male Mahadeshwara Hills (MM Hills) on June 26 were victims of poisoning. In a swift breakthrough, police have arrested three individuals in connection with the incident, revealing it to be a brutal act of revenge.
Veterinary reports confirmed the presence of phorate, a highly toxic pesticide compound, in the stomachs of all five tigers and in the flesh of a bull found nearby. It is believed that locals had laced the carcass of the bull with the pesticide, which proved fatal when consumed by the tigers. Experts say the predators would have died within hours of ingestion.
“This is a clear case of deliberate poisoning,” a member of the investigating veterinary team said. “Some chemical elements have been identified, but we are still awaiting the full forensic laboratory report to determine the exact composition and whether the substances used are banned.”
Forest department officials revealed that the prime target was a nine-year-old breeding female tiger, which had previously been spotted with four cubs. The tiger and her cubs, all of whom perished, were not part of the same litter. The cubs were said to be around a year old and in the early stages of learning to hunt.
Following the shocking discovery, forest officials detained three suspects: Madha alias Maduraju, the owner of a cow that had been killed by the tiger; and his associates Konappa and Nagaraju.
Investigations revealed that Maduraju, in a fit of anger over the death of his cow ‘Kenchi’, had laced its carcass with poison and left it in the open. When the tiger returned with her cubs to feed again, they all succumbed to the toxin.
Sources in the forest department added that the accused have been taken to Aranya Bhavan in Meenyam, Hanur taluk for further interrogation. Interestingly, Maduraju’s father Shivanna initially claimed responsibility for the poisoning, but was later released when further inquiries confirmed his son's direct involvement.
Another tigress found dead
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, the body of a five-year-old tigress was discovered in the Gundre forest range under the Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Officials confirmed that this death was unrelated and resulted from natural causes, including starvation and injuries sustained in a territorial fight. Post-mortem findings indicated an empty stomach and intestines.
“This is the largest recorded instance of tiger deaths due to poisoning in Karnataka’s history,” officials said, recalling past incidents in Bandipur (2017) and Nagarhole (2022) involving similar acts.
Former principal chief conservator of forests B K Singh expressed concern over the continued existence of doddis (illegal cattle camps) within forest areas. “These camps, particularly those originating from Tamil Nadu, pose a significant threat to wildlife,” he said, urging the department to intensify its monitoring efforts.
Additional principal chief conservator of forests, wildlife, Subhash B Malkhade, stated that cattle grazing in forest regions had been strictly prohibited and action was being taken to prevent further incursions.
The incident has sparked public outrage and renewed calls for stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws in ecologically sensitive zones.