Bandipur wildlife deaths raise alarm as pregnant elephant found dead

Chamarajanagar: A pregnant wild elephant was found dead on private land near Gopalaswamy Betta in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve, adding to concerns over the safety of wildlife in the forest landscape.

The female elephant, believed to be around 35 years old, was found in a private property in the Gopalaswamy Betta range of Gundlupet taluk. The location was about 150 metres from the forest boundary. Forest officials reached the spot and began an investigation.

Veterinarian Dr Mirza Wasim conducted the post-mortem examination and found that the elephant was carrying a foetus. Details about the age of the unborn calf remain unclear, with preliminary information containing discrepancies.

Officials suspect that the animal may have died in a fight with another wild elephant. However, the department has not established the cause of death, which will be determined after the post-mortem report is assessed.

The incident follows other disturbing developments in Bandipur. A tiger was recently reportedly killed after being caught in a snare in the Hongalli Beat of the Maddur range. Soon afterwards, an elephant carcass was found near Karadikallu Gudda, with its tusks missing.

The sequence of incidents has prompted concerns about possible poaching activity and the effectiveness of wildlife monitoring in the reserve. Suspicion had earlier been raised about the possible involvement of the Bawariya gang from Madhya Pradesh’s Katni district. Members of the gang were arrested in a 2009 tiger poaching case near Gundal Dam in Kollegala.

However, authorities have not established any connection between the gang and the recent cases. The latest death of a pregnant elephant has intensified calls for stronger forest surveillance and protection measures in Bandipur.

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