Thu Nov 07 20:50:37 UTC 2024: ## Madhya Pradesh Forms Advisory Committee to Improve Elephant Management After 10 Die in Bandhavgarh
**Bhopal, November 8, 2024:** In the wake of the deaths of 10 wild elephants in the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve last month, the Madhya Pradesh government has formed an advisory committee to improve the state’s elephant management practices.
The committee, comprised of nine members including field directors of Bandhavgarh and Sanjay Gandhi National Parks, veterinarians, and elephant experts, will focus on establishing procedures for capturing, treating, and rehabilitating rescued or captured elephants. The committee will be headed by the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife).
The deaths of the 10 elephants, suspected to be caused by toxicity from consuming kodo millet crop, have prompted the government to take action. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav ordered the suspension of two senior forest officials for negligence and announced the formation of a task force for elephant management. He also stated that officials will be sent to states with larger elephant populations for training.
Toxicology reports revealed traces of cyclopiazonic acid in the elephants’ bodies, indicating consumption of fungus-infected kodo plants. While the reports ruled out poisoning, further investigations are underway by the School of Wildlife Forensic and Health, Jabalpur, the State Forensic Science Laboratory, Sagar, and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, to determine the precise cause of death.
The Madhya Pradesh government is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of elephants within its borders, and this committee is a step towards implementing comprehensive and effective management strategies.
First Piper 