 |
|
The heart-wrenching tragedy unfolding in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) in Madhya Pradesh has shaken the nation. Seven wild elephants, including three who succumbed to their critical condition on Wednesday morning, have lost their lives in what appears to be a mass poisoning incident. The deaths, which occurred over two days, have raised serious concerns about the potential impact of human activities on wildlife in the region.
The initial discovery of four dead elephants – three females and one male – on Tuesday, followed by the identification of five more elephants in a weakened state, triggered an emergency response. A dedicated team comprising wildlife health officers, wildlife veterinarians, and specialists from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun rushed to the scene, but despite their best efforts, they could not save the lives of three additional elephants.
While the cause of death is yet to be officially confirmed, the alarming number of elephant deaths occurring within a short span of time in a confined area points towards a potential poisoning event. Ajay Dubey, a Bhopal-based wildlife and RTI activist, has raised suspicions about the heavy use of pesticides in paddy fields, which could have been consumed by the elephants, leading to their demise. The fact that such a large number of elephants perished simultaneously, a rare occurrence, reinforces concerns about a potential poisoning incident.
The Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, known for its dense tiger population, has seen a growing number of elephants migrating from neighboring Chhattisgarh since 2018. This influx of elephants has led to an increase in human-elephant conflict, with elephants often damaging crops in the surrounding areas. The tragic events at BTR serve as a stark reminder of the delicate balance that exists between human development and the preservation of our natural ecosystems.
The authorities are conducting post-mortem examinations and investigating the cause of death to determine the exact cause of the elephant deaths. Dubey's demand for a magisterial probe into the incident highlights the need for a thorough and transparent investigation to ensure that the culprits, if any, are held accountable. The deaths of these elephants are a deeply disturbing event that should serve as a wake-up call for increased efforts to protect our wildlife and mitigate the risks posed by human activities.
Source: Madhya Pradesh Wild Elephant Deaths: Toll Touches 7 As 3 More Die, Two Still Critical