Posted inCurrent Affairs
Investigation Underway into Elephant Deaths at Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) has initiated an independent inquiry into the deaths of ten elephants in the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh. Concurrently, the Madhya Pradesh State Government has established a five-member committee, led by the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF), to investigate the incident further. Initial findings suggest that poisoning may be the cause of death, although definitive conclusions await detailed postmortem and toxicological analyses. Meanwhile, patrolling staff discovered four dead elephants on October 29, 2024, with six others found in critical condition nearby. Despite efforts to treat them, six elephants succumbed to their ailments within days. The inquiry is being supervised by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, with additional support from the National Tiger Conservation Authority and local veterinarians, as preventive measures are being implemented to monitor other elephant herds in the reserve.