20 Peacocks Mysteriously Dead in Karnataka’s Hanumanthapura After 5 Tiger Deaths

In Karnataka's Hanumanthapura village, 20 peacocks were found dead, sparking concern. Farmers discovered the bodies of 17 female and 3 male peafowls near a stream. This incident follows the death of five tigers in the region about 40 days earlier. Forest officials have collected evidence from the site, and the carcasses have been sent to Forensic Science Labs for analysis. The cause of death is still under investigation.

Almost a month prior, another disturbing event occurred in Karnataka's Chamarajanagar district. Here, 20 monkeys were found dead, raising suspicions of poisoning. Both forest and police officials are investigating potential foul play in this case. These incidents highlight ongoing concerns about wildlife safety in the region.

Wildlife Tragedies in Karnataka

The recent deaths of five tigers in the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary have also drawn attention. A tigress and her four cubs were found dead, with their remains sent to forensic labs in Bengaluru and Mysuru for further examination. Reports suggest that villagers poisoned a cow after it was chased into the forest by the tigress, leading to their deaths when they consumed its meat.

In response to these tiger deaths, authorities arrested three individuals from Koppa village: Konappa, Madaraja, and Nagaraj. They are suspected of involvement in what is believed to be a retaliatory killing over tiger hunting activities. The Hindu reported these arrests as part of ongoing investigations into the incident.

Compensation Policies for Wildlife Incidents

The forest department has policies to compensate for cattle killed by carnivores outside protected areas. However, compensation is not provided if such incidents occur within sanctuary or national park boundaries where cattle grazing is prohibited. This policy aims to discourage illegal grazing within these restricted zones.

The series of wildlife deaths in Karnataka underscores the challenges faced by conservation efforts in India. As investigations continue, authorities are working to address these issues and prevent future occurrences through stricter enforcement and community engagement.