Ten elephants died over three days this week in Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, with initial reports suggesting traces of toxins found in the animals.

The deaths were first reported on October 29 when patrolling staff in the Salkhania area of ​​the reserve, part of the Pataur and Khiatuli ranges, discovered four elephant carcasses. A search of the surrounding areas led to the grim discovery of six additional elephants, some of whom were either sick or unconscious.

Immediate medical assistance was provided by local veterinary officers and a specialized team from the School of Forensic Medicine and Wildlife Health (SWFH) along with Dr AB Srivastava, a retired head of SWFH. Despite their best efforts, four of the sick elephants died the next day, and two others succumbed on October 31.

The dead herd included one male and nine female elephants, including six cubs or sub-adults and four adults. Initial reports indicate that the herd may have ventured out of the forest to attack a nearby millet crop, where they may have encountered toxic substances.

A team of 14 veterinarians performed postmortem on the elephants, sending tissue samples to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Uttar Pradesh in Sagar for detailed toxicological and histopathological analyses.

Preliminary findings suggest the presence of toxins, but the final cause of death will only be confirmed following a comprehensive forensic examination.

In response to the incident, the state government formed a five-member inquiry commission headed by Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), comprising civil society representatives, scientists and veterinarians, to investigate the tragedy and present a report.

Further, the head of the State Tiger Strike Force (STSF) has started a thorough investigation, combing the forest areas and adjacent villages for clues.

The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change’s Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) has also launched an independent investigation. On the spot, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden of Madhya Pradesh are leading the investigation, while senior officials from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), including the Additional Director General of Forests, have visited Bandhavgarh to to discuss the incident with state officials.

Authorities remain on high alert, increasing patrols around Bandhavgarh and monitoring elephant herds nearby to prevent similar incidents. While poisoning remains the main suspected cause, final conclusions will be based on full post-mortem analysis and detailed toxicological and histopathological findings.

(With inputs from PTI)