Overview

• Konappa, Madaraju and Nagaraj remain in judicial custody under the Wildlife Protection Act and Karnataka Forest Act for lacing a cattle carcass with pesticide that killed a tigress and her four cubs.
• A high-level committee led by Principal Chief Conservator B.P. Ravi and a Special Investigation Team from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change have been tasked with completing their parallel probes within 14 days.
• Deputy Conservator Y. Chakrapani, Assistant Conservator Gajanana Hegde and Deputy Range Forest Officer Madesh have been placed on compulsory leave for failing to detect the tiger carcasses located near a main road and an anti-poaching camp.
• Forensic samples collected at the site have been sent to laboratories in Bengaluru and Mysuru to verify the type of pesticide used in the poisoning.
• Non-payment of frontline contract staff for months is under scrutiny as it may have hampered patrolling and early detection of wildlife casualties in the sanctuary.