<p>Bengaluru: Five tigers -- a mother and four cubs --were found dead in the MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary's Hoogyam range, prompting Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre to order an inquiry on Thursday.</p><p>Officials of the MM Hills range remained not reachable but sources in the department said poisoning was suspected to be the cause of the death. However, the death of five big cats in a single episode has raised several questions as to the nature of the poisoning.</p><p>Karnataka has the second highest number of tigers after Madhya Pradesh with the annual estimation putting their numbers 563. However, the habitats are yet to receive the same attention commanded by the big cats. Villagers have resorted to poisoning and snaring in view of the growing conflicts with wildlife, especially cattle thefts by the big cats.</p>.When pikas vanish and primroses bloom.<p>In a letter to the additional chief secretary of the Forest, Ecology and Environment, Khandre sought to know the reason for the deaths. "Set up a committee headed by the principal conservator of forests to investigate the matter. In case any negligence by the forest officers is found, strict action may be initiated. A report shall be submitted in three days," the order said.</p><p>For nearly 15 years, the state government has been dragging its feet on declaring the 906 sq km sanctuary a tiger reserve. While the declaration of the reserve itself does not assure a safety net for the big cats, many conservationists believe that it will help prevent the increasing commercialisation of the area.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: Five tigers -- a mother and four cubs --were found dead in the MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary's Hoogyam range, prompting Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre to order an inquiry on Thursday.</p><p>Officials of the MM Hills range remained not reachable but sources in the department said poisoning was suspected to be the cause of the death. However, the death of five big cats in a single episode has raised several questions as to the nature of the poisoning.</p><p>Karnataka has the second highest number of tigers after Madhya Pradesh with the annual estimation putting their numbers 563. However, the habitats are yet to receive the same attention commanded by the big cats. Villagers have resorted to poisoning and snaring in view of the growing conflicts with wildlife, especially cattle thefts by the big cats.</p>.When pikas vanish and primroses bloom.<p>In a letter to the additional chief secretary of the Forest, Ecology and Environment, Khandre sought to know the reason for the deaths. "Set up a committee headed by the principal conservator of forests to investigate the matter. In case any negligence by the forest officers is found, strict action may be initiated. A report shall be submitted in three days," the order said.</p><p>For nearly 15 years, the state government has been dragging its feet on declaring the 906 sq km sanctuary a tiger reserve. While the declaration of the reserve itself does not assure a safety net for the big cats, many conservationists believe that it will help prevent the increasing commercialisation of the area.</p>