Six people have been detained in connection with the shocking deaths of an eight-year-old tigress and her four cubs in the Hugyam forest range of Male Mahadeshwara Hills, Karnataka. Forest officials discovered the five carcasses on Thursday during a routine patrol in Hanur taluk.
A joint investigation by the forest department and the police led to the detention of six suspects from Kallebboddi village. The primary accused, 55-year-old Shivanna, allegedly poisoned the big cats in retaliation after a tiger killed one of his cows. According to officials, Shivanna and his son laced another cow carcass with poison, which the tigress and her cubs consumed.
While Shivanna has been apprehended, his son remains absconding. The five other villagers are being questioned for their suspected involvement in either executing the crime or covering it up. They are currently held at the forest department’s rest house in Gajanur.
A post-mortem examination confirmed the deaths were caused by poisoning. “The tigers had ingested flesh from the rear portion of the cow’s carcass. Poisoned meat was found in their stomachs,” said T Heera Lal, Chief Conservator of Forests, Chamarajanagar. Samples from the tiger carcasses and the cow were sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for further analysis.
Investigators believe the tigers died about three days before their remains were discovered. Preliminary findings suggest that a pesticide was used as the poison.
The carcasses were cremated locally in line with National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) guidelines.
Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre visited the site and condemned the incident. “Strict action will be taken against those responsible. The death of five tigers due to poisoning is a serious crime and a huge loss for wildlife conservation,” he said. Khandre also announced that a high-level probe is underway and assured that accountability would be fixed if any negligence by forest staff is uncovered.
The tragedy has triggered political outrage and demands for justice. State BJP president B Y Vijayendra called for a thorough and swift investigation. “The deaths of these tigers, including a tigress, in the sacred Male Mahadeshwara Hills—where the tiger is venerated—are deeply distressing. If confirmed as poisoning, it is a heinous and inhumane act that must be punished,” Vijayendra said.
Karnataka is home to India’s second-largest tiger population, making the loss of these five animals an especially devastating blow to conservation efforts.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)