Tumakuru/Bengaluru: In a concerning incident, twenty peacocks were found dead under suspicious circumstances in a field near Medigeshi in Hanumanthapura village of Madhugiri taluk on Monday. Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre has ordered an urgent investigation to be headed by the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF).
According to officials, the fatalities include three male and seventeen female peacocks. Local farmers discovered the carcasses and immediately alerted the police and forest department officials, who rushed to the spot for preliminary assessment.
The exact cause of death is still unknown. “We have collected biological samples and sent them to the Forensic Science Laboratory for analysis,” a senior police officer said. A case has been registered under relevant wildlife protection laws.
Minister Khandre, expressing deep concern over the mass deaths of the country’s national bird, stated, “This is a serious matter. Just weeks ago, a tigress and her four cubs died due to poisoning in Male Mahadeshwara Hills in Chamarajanagar, followed by monkey deaths in Bandipur. Now, our national bird has suffered a similar fate.”
Citing media reports suggesting pesticide poisoning, the minister directed the DCF-led team to verify whether the peacocks were deliberately poisoned or consumed crops treated with toxic chemicals. He has asked for the inquiry report within five days and instructed officials to initiate legal action based on its findings.
The minister also issued a standing directive that any deaths involving Schedule I or II wildlife species must be immediately audited and brought to the attention of his office.
