Probe Ordered After Tigress and Cubs Found Dead in Karnataka

India has launched a high-level investigation into the deaths of an endangered tigress and her four cubs, found lifeless under suspicious circumstances in Karnataka’s Male Mahadeshwara Hills, part of the Hugyam forest range.

The grim discovery was made during a routine morning patrol by frontline forest staff earlier this week. Authorities suspect poisoning as the probable cause behind the deaths, which have prompted strong reactions from wildlife officials and the state government.

Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre confirmed on Thursday that the deaths were “unnatural” and ordered a detailed probe led by a special team under the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF). “The area has been immediately cordoned off and declared a protected zone. Standard Scene of Crime (SoC) protocols have been invoked, with a 500-meter sweep radius activated to preserve and collect all physical evidence. A five-member team expert has undertaken a comprehensive necropsy following NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority) protocols,” Khandre said in a statement.

Samples from the carcasses—including tissue, blood, and stomach contents—are being processed for toxicology, histopathology, and DNA analysis to determine the exact cause of death. While the autopsy on the mother tigress was completed on Thursday, postmortems on the four cubs were still underway as of Friday.

Officials said the discovery of a decomposing cow carcass near the area has strengthened the suspicion that the deaths were the result of poisoning. “Either the bovine was poisoned before being left in the forest, or the owner of the cattle, after spotting the dead cow, would have spread poison on its body, which the tigress and her cubs ate and died,” a forest officer explained.

Khandre also echoed this theory, stating, “Someone might have poisoned the cattle, which led to the death of the big cats.”

The Karnataka government has taken the matter seriously, with directives issued to escalate surveillance across the Hugyam range. “Our government has taken the matter very seriously, and we will investigate it from all angles. We will not spare those behind it,” Khandre told reporters.

He has instructed the Additional Chief Secretary and the Chief Wildlife Warden to ensure accountability and strict action against those responsible. “If negligence by forest staff is found, or if the deaths were caused by electrocution, poisoning, or any other reason, criminal cases should be filed against those responsible and appropriate action taken,” the minister said.

Security and monitoring measures in the region have since been intensified. Real-time drone surveillance, infrared cameras, and GPS-enabled M-STRIPES patrols have been deployed, while all Anti-Poaching Camps (APCs) have been placed on high alert.

A confidential 24x7 helpline has also been activated at the Division Office to gather intelligence on potential wildlife crimes. “Tiger conservation is a collective responsibility. A 24x7 confidential helpline has been activated at the Division Office to receive credible tips on wildlife crimes,” the minister added.

Referring to the legacy of the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s Project Tiger initiative, Khandre said the incident marks a tragic setback for Karnataka—a state with a proud record in tiger conservation. “It is deeply painful that the tigers died unnaturally in a single day in a state known for its tiger conservation,” he said.

He reiterated that the Karnataka Forest Department follows a strict zero-tolerance policy on wildlife crime. “The Karnataka Forest Department upholds a strict zero-tolerance policy against wildlife crime. Any evidence of foul play, negligence, or human interference will invite stringent legal action under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972,” Khandre stated.

India is home to over 3,600 tigers in the wild—approximately 75 percent of the global tiger population—thanks to ongoing conservation efforts. The deaths of five tigers in a single event have cast a dark shadow over these efforts and serve as a stark reminder of the challenges that remain.

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