Almost an entire herd of elephants killed in India – and no one knows why

Ten elephants from a herd of thirteen died in three days tiger reserve in central Indialeaving authorities puzzled as to the reason.

The tusks in the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh The state began dying on Tuesday.

A park ranger spotted several elephants in visible distress about 2 km from their regular camp and alerted his superiors, who immediately dispatched veterinary teams.

The vets discovered that four elephants had died. They provided medical attention to the rest of the herd, but four more died on Wednesday evening, and a few more on Thursday.

Authorities said they were awaiting post-mortem reports to determine the cause of the mass death.

The three surviving members of the herd were under observation, NDTV reported.

Teams from the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests had landed in Bandhavgarh to conduct an independent survey. They were expected to submit a preliminary report in the next ten days.

The investigation would try to find out whether the mass death was accidental or intentional.

“It is being investigated whether this was a case of poisoning,” an unnamed official told the newspaper Indian Express. “There are some signs, but we can’t say for sure until the post-mortem report comes in.”

PK Verma, deputy director of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, pointed out a local crop, a grain called Kodo, that could pose a risk to elephants under certain conditions.

“While we are investigating various leads, there is a possibility that Kodo, which can be poisonous to elephants, may have contributed to this,” he explained.

In the wake of the deaths, park authorities took a precautionary measure to destroy Kodo crops in the area, plowing and burning the standing grain.

A team of veterinarians conducted a separate investigation.

“There is now a large team of doctors investigating the case. We mainly treat them against toxic infections. The medications are registered intravenously. Several villagers have been questioned about the use of pesticides in kodo millet plants. The villagers have claimed that the act was not intentional. The investigation is underway,” a wildlife official said Emphatic.

“The experts informed us that in the past there have been cases of elephants dying due to ingestion of kodo millet and there have also been cases of successful treatment.”

The survey teams, comprising more than 100 forest officials, accompanied by a dog team, carried out checks on nearby water sources, examined herd movement patterns and assessed crops within a 5km radius of where the tusks were found. They also collected soil samples and plant exhibits from the area.

However, the investigation was hampered by the presence of a larger and more aggressive herd of elephants and three tigers in the area.

Bandhavgarh’s elephant population has flourished in recent years, even attracting migrating tuskers from neighboring Chhattisgarh state. Known for its ideal habitat, the reserve’s reputation as an elephant sanctuary has now been overshadowed by the tragedy, raising concerns about wildlife management and conservation protocols in the area.