GREEN MINUTE NEWS:
18 Bonnet Macaques were found dead in Bandipur Tiger Reserve’s buffer zone. Reports indicate that the bonnet macaques had been poisoned and in the background of this, the Karnataka Forest Department has launched investigations into this gory incident. An endemic species to the southern regions of India, their populations are declining due to human-wildlife conflict and vanishing habitat.
Two other macaques that were still breathing were rushed to the veterinary hospital in Gundlupet taluk, Chamarajnagara district, Karnataka. Such a heinous incident comes after the tragic killings of five tigers which were poisoned in MM Hills Wildlife Division.
On July 2nd at 6.30 in the morning, the forest staff of Bandipur Tiger Reserve’s buffer zone received a call that someone had killed about 15 to 20 monkeys. Further, the monkeys had been dumped on the road leading from Kandegala to Koodasoge village in Kasaba hobli, Gundlupet taluk, Chamarajanagar district.
The concerned forest officers immediately rushed to the spot where the monkeys were found to be dumped in a gunny sack and inspected the macaques as also the spot. They found that the dead bonnet macaques had been dumped on the road and that only one sack was at that spot. A total number of 20 macaques was found and two were still breathing.
Local activists say the 20 bonnet macaques were poisoned elsewhere and dumped on this road. They demanded strict action against the criminals who had committed such a heinous crime. Out of the 20 macaques examined by the vet, only two were found to be breathing slightly. These two bonnet macaques were immediately rushed to the Gundlupet veterinary hospital where the vets started emergency treatment.
The matter was reported to the ACF of Gundlupet Sub-Division. Later, the Melukamanahalli Dog Squad personnel were pressed into action and an operation was carried out to sniff out the perpetrators. However, it is not known from which direction the monkeys were brought to the lands of some farmers on the sides of the road leading from Kandegal village to Koodasoghe village.
Usually, on the fringes of Protected Areas, Bonnet Macaques are found in large numbers and many of them venture into farm fields to feed on groundnuts and fruits. Endemic to south India, they are found in large numbers in Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Having a bonnet of hair on their heads, they are frequently sighted in the tiger reserve and also many of the roads traversing the buffer zone.
The Conservator of Forests and Director, Bandipur Division, ACF of Gundlupet Sub-Division, Bandipur Divisional veterinary officers visited the spot and inspected the spot to find out who the culprits were and to find out the cause of death of these macaques. Forensic samples have been collected and sent for examination.
Karnataka forest authorities decided to conduct a post-mortem examination by a veterinary officer and instructions were given to register a wildlife case at the zone office. Later, an investigation team was formed to find out the criminals. In this regard, a complaint was filed in the Zonal Office under Wildlife Case No: 04/2025-26 dated: 02-07-2025.