ADVERTISEMENT
After tigers, 18 monkeys found dead in Bandipur buffer zone; poisoning suspectedThe carcasses were found in two sacks on Kandegala-Koodasoge road. It is suspected that the monkeys might have been poisoned to death somewhere else and disposed off.
Gayathri V Raj
Last Updated IST
<div class="paragraphs"><p>Representative image showing monkeys.</p></div>

Representative image showing monkeys.

Credit: DH File Photo

Gundlupet (Chamarajanagar dist): While the shock from the death of five tigers due to poisoning is yet to subside, 18 monkeys were found dead near Kandegala, in Gundlupet taluk, Chamarajanagar district, on Wednesday. It comes under the buffer zone of Bandipur Tiger Reserve. It is suspected that the monkeys might have also been poisoned.

ADVERTISEMENT

Miscreants had dumped the carcasses of the monkeys in gunny bags on Kandegala-Koodasoge road. It is suspected that the monkeys might have been poisoned somewhere else and disposed of near Kandegala.

Passersby who noticed the bags, opened them out of suspicion. On seeing the carcasses, they immediately alerted the forest department and the police. In all, 20 monkeys were found. While 18 of them had died, two were struggling for life. They were rushed to the veterinary hospital for treatment and are now recovering.

Veterinary department Assistant Director Dr K Madesh said 18 monkeys were found dead at the same time, and it prima facie looks like they might have been poisoned.

The samples and viscera of the monkeys have been sent to the Forensic Science Lab. The exact reason for their death will be known after the report is available, he said.

Minister's statement

Meanwhile, Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre, in a press release, has stated that a case has been registered at the range office regarding the unnatural death of the monkeys. A team has been formed to investigate the case. A sniffer dog squad has been pressed into service. CCTV camera footage from farmlands on Kandagala-Koodasoge road have been examined. No accurate information has been found so far, he said.

Preliminary investigation shows that the monkeys might have been poisoned to death. A probe would be conducted and the guilty will be punished. Post-mortem will be conducted and the exact details will be available after the report, he said.

The incident in Chamarajanagar district, immediately after the death of five tigers, has enraged the wildlife lovers and enthusiasts, who sought stern punishment against those involved in poisoning the monkeys.

2021 Mass killing in Hassan dist

A mass killing of monkeys was reported at Chowdanahalli, in Belur taluk, Hassan district, in July 2021. Around 38 monkeys were found dead. Similar to the Gundlupet case reported on Wednesday, the monkeys were killed and filled in bags and disposed of at the village. The owners of a farm had hired people to capture the monkeys, to keep them away.

ADVERTISEMENT
(Published 02 July 2025, 12:37 IST)