Recent findings from the School of Wildlife Forensics and Health (SWFH) have revealed a tragic link between the deaths of several elephants in Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and acute poisoning from fungal toxins. Contrary to early suspicions of pesticide poisoning, SWFH, a leading wildlife forensic body, confirmed that the elephants had likely consumed contaminated kodu crops (a type of millet) , leading to severe toxic exposure.
The initial investigations started after 10 elephants succumbed to unknown causes, beginning on October 29. Laboratory tests by SWFH, along with additional insights from the Sagar Forensic Laboratory, reported no evidence of common insecticides or fertilizers in the biological samples. This pointed scientists toward fungal toxins as the culprit, specifically the potent cyclopiazonic acid, detected at over 100 ppb in the samples.
Authorities are currently working with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in Hyderabad and other labs across India to identify the specific fungal source responsible for this poisoning. The findings highlight a pressing need for deeper research into the environmental hazards impacting wildlife in protected reserves.
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