Tigers tragedy death shock Karnataka; Forest Minister directs a high-level inquiry

The death of five tigers, including a mother and four cubs, at Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary highlights a potential poisoning incident, possibly linked to a poisoned cow, as noted by Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre, prompting a high-level inquiry and post-mortem to investigate wildlife-human conflict.

Karnataka, with a tiger population of 563 ranking it second in India, faces a conservation challenge, as supported by the National Tiger Conservation Authority’s 2018 report, which emphasizes science-based monitoring to address threats like poisoning, a rare but devastating issue in tiger habitats.

Historical data from the Wildlife Institute of India indicates that poisoning incidents, often retaliatory due to livestock predation, have increased by 15% over the past decade, suggesting a need for stricter enforcement and community awareness campaigns beyond the current investigation.