Two Arrested for Poisoning Tigress and Four Cubs in Karnataka
Authorities in Karnataka have arrested two men for allegedly poisoning a tigress and her four cubs in the Male Mahadeshwara Hills forest range. The act was reportedly one of revenge after the tigress preyed on a cow belonging to one of the accused. The men allegedly laced the cow's carcass with poison, which the big cats consumed upon returning to feed. The incident highlights the severe challenges of human-wildlife conflict and has been condemned as a significant blow to tiger conservation efforts.
Unpacked:
The death of a tigress and her four cubs is the largest single-day tiger mortality in India since the start of Project Tiger. Karnataka has 563 tigers, the second-highest in India, so the loss is a major setback for both local and national tiger conservation efforts, reducing genetic diversity and impacting future population stability.
The accused have been arrested and booked under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and the Karnataka Forest Act, 1969. These laws provide for strict penalties, including significant fines and imprisonment, for those found guilty of killing protected wildlife such as tigers.
Human-wildlife conflicts, especially involving tigers and livestock, are relatively common in India. Such incidents often occur near forests where communities and wildlife overlap, leading to retaliatory killings and posing ongoing challenges for conservation authorities.
Authorities, including the Forest Department and National Tiger Conservation Authority, have intensified investigations and pledged strict action against those responsible. There are ongoing efforts to improve patrolling, raise community awareness, and implement conflict mitigation measures to reduce future retaliatory killings.