GREEN MINUTE NEWS:
Activists raise serious concern on the suspicious death of an elephant at Bhadra Tiger Reserve. Appealing to state forest minister Eshwar Khandre, activists in Chikkamagaluru have called for a high-level inquiry by Karnataka PCCF (Wildlife) into the jumbo’s death at Lakkavalli range, Bhadra Tiger Reserve.
The discovery of a six-month-old carcass has not only raised alarms about rising poaching activities but has also highlighted serious violations of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) during the investigation process.
“Despite clear indications of poaching, senior forest officials have attempted to close the case without a thorough investigation,” say local conservationists and have called for a more rigorous probe. They have appealed to state Forest Minister to personally intervene and ensure strict action against those responsible for the violations.
KARNATAKA ELEPHANT DEATHS (2021-24)
Year 2021-22, a total of 89 elephants died, with 16 deaths attributed to unnatural causes.
In 2022-23, there were 70 elephant deaths.
Year 2023-24, the number rose to 101 elephant deaths with 14 due to unnatural causes.
By June 2024, 31 elephants have died, with five deaths due to unnatural causes.
Among these unnatural causes, 90 percent deaths were due to electrocution, while the remaining deaths caused by road or train accidents or bullet wounds or during captures.
GUNSHOT WOUND DEATH
The carcass of an elephant was found on 14 September in the Bayarapura backwaters of the Lakkavalli range, which was reportedly discovered by a local fisherman.
Preliminary observations indicated a gunshot wound on the elephant’s skull, leading to the suspicion that the animal may have been killed for its tusks. Further, the absence of the tusks has intensified these concerns, suggesting an act of poaching, says Madhu Mugthihalli, activist, Wildcare organization.
SERIOUS VIOLATION IN SOP FOR POSTMORTEM
The investigation into this elephant’s death was marred by several notable violations of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), which are crucial for ensuring transparency and accountability in the postmortem of a Schedule-I species:
- Absence of Key Officials: According to the established SOP, the park director is required to be present during the post-mortem examination. However, neither the park director nor other higher officials were on-site during the investigation, raising questions about oversight and the credibility of the findings.
- Lack of Government Veterinary Oversight: The SOP stipulates that government veterinary doctors must be present during post-mortem examinations to validate the findings and ensure accurate reporting. In this case, the examination was conducted by a contract-based veterinary officer, not a permanent government-appointed one, which compromises the investigation’s integrity.
- Unauthorized Report Preparation: The post-mortem report was prepared by the contract-based working vet from the Bhadra Tiger Reserve. This report lacks proper authorization and authentication, as it should have been generated by a qualified government veterinarian. This breach of protocol undermines the validity of the findings.
- Questionable Gender Identification: The veterinary officer claimed the carcass was female without conducting any DNA or bone marrow analysis to confirm this identification. This raises significant doubts about the accuracy of the report and highlights the need for rigorous scientific procedures in such investigations.
IMPLICATIONS OF SOP VIOLATIONS
The failure to adhere to these SOPs not only jeopardizes the investigation into this specific elephant’s death but also sets a dangerous precedent for wildlife protection efforts in Karnataka. The absence of accountability and transparency can lead to public distrust and hinder conservation initiatives.
These violations call for immediate action from higher authorities. It is essential that the government conducts a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding this case, holds those responsible accountable, and reinforces the importance of SOP compliance in wildlife investigations.
KILLED FOR ITS TUSKS
Local people suspect the elephant may have been killed for its tusks, as no tusks were found at the site of death, fueling speculations that ivory smugglers could have been involved and are active again.
This is not the first time the region has seen such a tragedy, says Amith Bangre, Conservation Activist & Naturalist. He adds, “In 2021, a similar incident occurred near the Jagara village in the Muthodi forest area, where another elephant was killed and its tusks stolen. Despite awareness of the rising demand for ivory, the Karnataka Forest Department has failed to take strong preventative measures.”
JUMBO SKULL – HINTS OF POACHING
The tusks of male elephant are deeply rooted in the skull, and poachers often target these animals for their valuable ivory. In this particular case, at Bhadra, the absence of tusks suggests they were forcibly removed, activists stress.
This is only possible after the elephant was killed by a poacher where the bullets pierced its forehead. Given the deep embedding of the tusks in the skull, removing them would require substantial force, further pointing to illegal poaching activity in this region.
UNSAFE BHADRA BACKWATERS
The Bhadra Tiger Reserve, located in the Western Ghats, has a significant elephant population that roams the vast stretches of forests and backwaters. With slack patrolling, incidents of elephant poaching for ivory have been on the rise in recent years.
The demand for elephant tusks in illegal markets, both domestic and international, has led to a series of such killings. The area is increasingly being used for smuggling operations, with boats sneaking into the Bhadra Tiger Reserve at night to transport contraband, including tusks.
POACHING SYNDICATES
In recent years, several elephants have been found dead under suspicious circumstances in the reserve. Poaching syndicates, driven by the lucrative ivory trade, often target a lone elephant near water bodies, where they are more vulnerable. Bhadra backwaters is a sensitive area where elephants can be easily sighted.
DEMAND FOR STRICT ACTION
Conservation efforts in the region are further challenged by the vast, difficult and undulating terrain, making it harder to monitor illegal activities effectively.
Conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts in Chikkamagaluru have urged the Forest Minister to take immediate action and direct the authorities to take stricter measures to prevent poaching and protect the elephants in the Bhadra Tiger Reserve before it is too late.