Bengaluru– Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday confirmed that a formal investigation has been launched into the deaths of a tigress and her four cubs in Chamarajanagar district, with two individuals taken into custody for questioning. Authorities suspect the animals were poisoned, and a detailed report has been requested to determine the exact cause.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, the Chief Minister said necessary orders had already been issued and promised that appropriate action would be taken based on the findings of the report.
State Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Eshwar Khandre described the deaths of the five tigers as a “deeply saddening” incident. He said a team led by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) was immediately formed and tasked with submitting a report within three days.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the tigress had killed a cow left to graze in the forest and fed on its carcass along with her cubs for several days. Authorities now suspect the cow may have been deliberately poisoned, leading to the death of the big cats.
Minister Khandre emphasized that the probe would be carried out thoroughly and transparently. He also noted that tiger conservation is a joint responsibility of the state and central governments. While the Centre issues policy guidance, he said it has not released expected funds for the state’s Tiger Project.
“I’m not politicizing the issue,” Khandre said, “but both state and central governments must work together to protect wildlife. I have already discussed this with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is committed to conservation efforts.”
Post-mortem examinations of all five tigers have been completed, and viscera samples have been sent for laboratory testing to confirm the cause of death. Meanwhile, forest and police officials have begun a search for the owner of the cow involved in the incident, which occurred in the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary.
The carcasses of the tigress and her cubs were discovered on Thursday in the Meenyam forest area, within the Hoogyam range of the sanctuary. Initial reports indicated three cubs had died, but officials later confirmed that four cubs, along with the mother, perished after likely consuming poisoned meat.
Authorities also recovered the cow’s carcass and suspect that local cattle owners may have intentionally laced it with poison to retaliate against tiger predation.
The investigation remains ongoing. (Source: IANS)
