Further search efforts revealed six additional elephants found either sick or unconscious nearby, prompting immediate medical intervention by local veterinary teams and specialists from the School of Wildlife Forensic and Health (SWFH).
Despite intensive treatment, four more elephants succumbed to their conditions on 30 October, with the remaining two dying the following day. Among the deceased were one male and nine females, six of whom were juvenile or subadult, and four were adults.
Authorities believe the herd of 13 elephants may have ingested toxins while raiding a crop of Kodo millet in a nearby village.
Following the deaths, a team of 14 veterinarians conducted postmortem examinations on the elephants. Blood and tissue samples were sent to the SWFH for preliminary analysis, which initially indicated the presence of toxins.
Further samples were dispatched to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Sagar on 1 November for a comprehensive toxicological and histopathological investigation.
Also read: Kodo poisoning behind elephant deaths in MP’s Bandhavgarh? All you need to know
State authorities have assembled a five-member committee, led by Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), to examine the incident and submit a detailed report. The committee includes experts from civil society, scientists, and veterinarians.
Concurrently, the State Tiger Strike Force (STSF) is conducting a field investigation across the forests and adjoining villages, alongside an independent inquiry led by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden of Madhya Pradesh has been overseeing the enquiry onsite. Senior officials from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) have also visited the reserve to assess the situation.
“Preliminary information indicates the death of the elephants may be due to poisoning, though the final cause will be confirmed following a thorough enquiry,” state officials remarked, pending detailed postmortem findings and forensic analyses.
In response, state officials are implementing preventative measures and have increased surveillance of other elephant herds in and around Bandhavgarh to prevent further incidents.