What Happened to the Karnataka Tigress and Her Cubs?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Investigation launched into the deaths of a tigress and her four cubs.
- Two suspects have been taken into custody for questioning.
- Preliminary findings indicate poisoning as a possible cause of death.
- The Karnataka government is committed to wildlife conservation.
- Authorities are searching for the owner of the poisoned cow.
Bengaluru, June 27 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, announced on Friday that an inquiry has commenced regarding the tragic demise of a tigress and her four cubs in the Chamarajanagar district. Orders have been issued, and two individuals have been apprehended for interrogation.
As per sources, the authorities detained two suspects on Friday and are currently questioning them about the incident.
In a media briefing in Bengaluru, CM Siddaramaiah stated that suitable actions would follow after the investigation report is received.
Eshwar Khandre, the Minister for Forests, Ecology, and Environment, expressed that the incident of five tiger fatalities is profoundly upsetting. He revealed that upon receiving news about the unfortunate event, a team led by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) was assembled and tasked with submitting a report within three days.
The investigation is underway, with initial findings indicating that poisoning may be the cause. Reports suggest that a cow, abandoned by farmers for grazing in the forest, was killed by the tigress. It is believed that the tigress and her cubs consumed the cow’s remains for three to four days prior to their deaths, raising suspicions of poisoning.
Minister Khandre assured that the investigation would be thorough and conducted transparently.
He emphasized that the duty of conserving tigers falls on both the state and federal governments. While the central government provides necessary directives, it has not allocated expected funds for the Tiger Project.
“They are required to extend financial support. I’m not aiming to politicize this issue, but a combined effort is essential for effective tiger conservation,” he stressed.
“I have discussed this with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is dedicated to wildlife protection,” Khandre added.
Post-mortem examinations of the deceased tigers have been finalized, and their viscera samples have been dispatched to laboratories for further analysis to confirm the cause of death.
On Friday, forest and police officials initiated a search for the owner of the cow linked to the tigress and her cubs’ deaths in the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary.
The unnatural deaths, suspected to be poisoning-related, were uncovered on Thursday.
The remains of the tigress and her cubs were located in the Meenyam forest area, within the Hoogyam range of the sanctuary.
Sources indicate that the tigress killed a cow and dragged it into the forest, where she and her four cubs partially consumed it. It is believed that local villagers poisoned the carcass after discovering it. The tigress and her cubs returned to the carcass, leading to their demise after ingesting the poisoned meat.
Authorities have also retrieved the carcass of the cow killed by the tigress and are working to identify its owner. Preliminary findings suggest that local cattle owners might have poisoned the carcass.
Initially reported as the death of the tigress and three cubs, authorities later confirmed that the tigress and four cubs died under unnatural circumstances.