Post Bandhavgarh Tusker Deaths, MP to Use Satellite Collars to Track Elephants

Bhopal: In light of recent deaths of 10 elephants in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR), Mhya Presh forest department plans to use satellite collars to track movements of tuskers, an official said on Friday.

state government has been anuncing a slew of measures following deaths of pachyderms last month. Chief Minister Mohan Yav earlier anunced that forest officials from Mhya Presh would be sent for training in or states with a high population of elephants.

On October 29, four wild elephants were found de in Sankhani and Bakeli under Khalil range of BTR in Umaria district, while four died on October 30 and two on October 31.

Talking to PTI, MP ditional principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) L Krishnamoorthy said, "We have asked Tamil Nu for two satellite collars, which are expected to reach MP this week. We will start by putting m on two jumbos in BTR." He said department plans to use satellite collars on all 150 wild elephants in state.

Krishnamoorthy is he of a nine-member elephant visory committee formed two days ago to man tuskers in state, mainly during ir rescue and rehabilitation.

probe into deaths of ten elephants h concluded that re was neurotoxin cyclopiazonic acid in ir visceras, but it was t a case of 'poisoning’.

Viscera reports suggested toxicity was due to consumption of large quantities of Kodo millet plants, senior official h said earlier.

Based on probe team's report, chief minister suspended two senior reserve officials for alleged lapses.