7 elephants die in Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in 2 days

Four wild elephants were found dead in Salakhaniya Beat of Khitauli and Pataur core ranges respectively just 100-200 metres away from each other

Published on: Oct 30, 2024, 13:08:44 IST

By Shruti Tomar

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

The death toll of elephants has risen to seven after three more were found dead in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) in Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday morning, officials said.

The condition of the two other elephants remains critical.

Initial investigations suggest that it was a suspected case of poisoning.

A team of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in Delhi has reached Bandhavgarh for investigation.

“A team of eight doctors is conducting postmortem of the elephants. After this, they will be buried. For this, 300 sacks of salt have been ordered. Pits are being dug with the help of two JCBs,” said Prakash Verma, deputy director, BTR.

Also Read: Madhya Pradesh: Five forest officials booked for burning elephant carcass

The two other critical elephants are being treated by veterinary doctors of Bandhavgarh, Sanjay Tiger Reserve, Katni, Umaria and School of Wildlife Forensic and Health Jabalpur.

Principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF) Vijay N Ambade on Tuesday said, “Four wild elephants were found dead in Salakhaniya Beat of Khitauli and Pataur core ranges respectively just 100-200 metres away from each other.

Five more elephants were found lying on the ground in unwell condition. Out of five, three died while undergoing treatment. This herd was reported with 13 individuals.”

According to an officer, a team of STF are investigating an area of five kilometers. All the teams will investigate the nearby places including fields, ponds and water bodies.

“Park managers and Veterinarian doctors are also seeking regular guidance from experts from Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun. The actual cause of death will be ascertained after postmortem,” he added.

There are 60 elephants in the reserve.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shruti Tomar
I have spent over a decade chronicling Madhya Pradesh’s political and social landscape, covering politics, investigative journalism, crime, human interest, and government policy, blending sharp insight with ground‑level depth. I have closely tracked three assembly elections, three Lok Sabha elections, leadership transitions in MP while exposing governance lapses, tender irregularities, and flawed policy rollouts. My reports have revealed gaps in the Cheetah project, irregularities in medical education, rigging in recruitment exams, and loopholes in policy implementation. In crime reporting, I have moved beyond FIRs to map systemic patterns — from organised crime networks and gender‑based violence to custodial accountability — balancing urgency with sensitivity. My journalism is defined by a commitment to human interest. I have profiled the marginalised Bancchda community, documented atrocities against tribal groups, and highlighted efforts to preserve their culture through heritage liquor and revival of spiritual practices. I have reported on farmers struggling with failed MSP promises, giving voice to those often reduced to statistics in policy files. Passionate about field reporting, I have reported on rampant sand mining in Chambal and Narmada, pharmaceutical companies supplying medicines under altered names, the dire condition of schools and colleges, the plight of commercial sex workers, and skewed sex ratios in specific districts. Beyond deadlines, and as HT’s state correspondent and assistant editor in Madhya Pradesh, I engage with ministers, farmers, students, and activists, believing the best policy stories begin with a single human voice. A postgraduate in Journalism and Mass Communication, I also hold a diploma in sports journalism.Read More

Home/Cities/Bhopal News/7 Elephants Die In Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve In 2 Days