Seven Elephants Found Dead in MP's Bandhavgarh Reserve, Govt Orders Probe

Umaria: Three more elephants have died in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) in Mhya Presh 's Umaria district, taking toll to seven, while condition of three or tuskers was serious, a forest official said on Wednesday.

Mhya Presh's Forest Minister Ramniwas Rawat has ordered a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into death of tuskers and asked officials to ensure strict action against culprits.

BTR's deputy director Prakash Kumar Verma said prime facie, elephants seemed to have died after consuming Kodo millet, but exact cause will be known after autopsy.

Four wild elephants were found de in BTR on Tuesday while four ors, part of same herd of 13 tuskers, were found ill during routine patrolling, officials earlier said.

Verma on Wednesday said so far seven elephants have died. y were part of herd of 13 pachyderms, he informed.

condition of three or jumbos was serious and y were being treated, while BTR teams were monitoring movement of remaining elephants that were part of herd, he said.

On Tuesday, Verma informed that four elephants were found de in Salkhania and Bakeli areas under Khitoli range of reserve, a popular tourist attraction, during routine patrolling by forest guards.

In a post on X late Tuesday night, Forest Minister Rawat said untimely death of precious elephants in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve was sdening and heart-breaking.

In view of seriousness of issue, officials have been directed to immediately constitute an SIT and take strict action against culprits, Rawat said.