HANURU, June 28 — The deaths of a tigress and her four cubs in Karnataka’s Hugyam forest range were the result of a revenge killing, forest authorities said Saturday, revealing that the animals were poisoned after they fed on a cow laced with toxic substances.
Three men, including the cow’s owner, have been arrested in connection with the incident that took place in the Male Mahadeshwara Hills. The grim discovery of five big cat carcasses on Thursday sparked public outrage and prompted sharp political reactions, with the opposition BJP accusing the Congress-led state government of “negligence” in protecting wildlife.
Forest officials said the breakthrough in the case came when the carcass of a poisoned cow was traced back to Maada, also known as Maaduraju, a local villager. Investigators learned that Maaduraju’s cow, named ‘Kenchi,’ had been killed by a wild animal, prompting him to seek revenge. He allegedly sprayed poison on Kenchi’s body and left it in the open, hoping to attract predators.
“A tigress that had initially fed on the cow returned later with her cubs,” a senior forest official said. “All of them consumed the poisoned meat and died shortly after.”
Maaduraju’s friends, Konappa and Nagaraju, are also believed to have been involved in the plan. All three have been taken into custody and are being interrogated at the Aranya Bhavan in Meenyam, Hanuru Taluk.
In a twist during the probe, Maaduraju’s father, Shivanna, claimed responsibility for the killings, but was released after the investigation pointed to his son’s involvement.
“This is a tragic and deliberate act,” said Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre. “No one involved in this cruelty will be spared. We are taking every step to ensure such crimes are not repeated.”
The case has quickly become a flashpoint in state politics, with BJP leaders targeting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the government’s alleged failure to prevent such incidents. The Chief Minister has stated that he will act based on the detailed report submitted by the Forest Department.
According to the latest data from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Karnataka is home to 563 tigers—second only to Madhya Pradesh. The death of five tigers in a single incident is seen as a major setback to the state’s conservation efforts.
Wildlife activists and environmental groups have called for stronger legal protections and better surveillance in sensitive forest regions.
“Losing five tigers in one swoop is an ecological disaster,” said a conservationist in Bengaluru. “The motive here was vengeance, but the damage it has caused to the tiger population and forest ecosystem is incalculable.”
Officials said the arrested suspects are likely to face charges under the Wildlife Protection Act and Indian Penal Code provisions related to animal cruelty and conspiracy.
