BHOPAL: A suspected toxin produced by fungus-infected kodo grain was identified as the likely cause behind the tragic death of 10 elephants at Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in MP’s Umaria district.
Over the course of three days (Oct 29-31), the elephants succumbed to multiple organ failure, prompting immediate investigation and action. Officials said the remaining three elephants of a herd of 13 were healthy, and were under continuous monitoring.
Autopsy of nine elephants were conducted by wildlife health officers from School of Wildlife Forensic and Health, Jabalpur. The final postmortem is scheduled for Saturday.
The autopsies revealed a significant quantity of kodo grain in the stomach of the elephants, following which the forest department ordered the destruction of kodo crops in affected areas within two days. The postmortem results also indicated severe damage to the elephants’ liver, lungs, intestines and kidneys, further suggesting ingestion of toxic grain.
Veterinary doctors indicated a potential link to mycotoxins associated with kodo millet. The wildlife veterinarians are in regular contact with experts from IVRI-Bareilly, WII-Dehradun, the state FSL in Sagar and CCMB-Hyderabad to gain in-depth insights regarding these mycotoxins.
Viscera samples of the jumbos were sent to laboratories in Sagar, Jabalpur and Bareilly for further analysis.
A team of over 30 doctors and scientists from Wildlife Crime Control, National Tiger Conservation Authority and Special Task Force is currently stationed at Bandhavgarh to assist with the investigation.
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve’s deputy director P K Verma told media that initial findings implicated the kodo crop. All range officers have been instructed to inspect and destroy kodo crops in their areas, promising compensation to affected farmers. Verma also noted that some kodo crops were not harvested on time, raising concerns that the elephants may have consumed spoiled grain.
Investigators are, however, exploring other angles, too, including potential foul play. A kodo crop spanning eight acres was destroyed the day before the first batch of elephant deaths. Samples of wild elephant faeces are being collected to aid in the investigation.
