Overview

• Two villagers were arrested on June 28 for allegedly lacing a cow carcass with poison that killed a tigress and her four cubs in Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre ordered the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests to lead a high-level probe and submit findings within three days.
• A six-member team—including NTCA representatives and wildlife expert Sanjay Gubbi—conducted veterinary necropsies and collected tissue, blood, and stomach samples under NTCA guidelines.
• Investigators have sent forensic and toxicology samples from the tiger and cow carcasses to state laboratories, with results expected shortly to confirm the poison used.
• Forest authorities have intensified surveillance across MM Hills with drones, infrared cameras, GPS-based patrols, and informer networks to prevent further wildlife retaliation.