The Indian state of Karnataka is in mourning after the discovery of five tiger carcasses in the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. A tigress and her four cubs were found dead on Thursday, June 26, 2025, in what officials are calling the state's worst single-day loss of tigers at a single location. Preliminary investigations point towards poisoning as the cause of death, sending shockwaves through the conservation community.

The tragic discovery was made in the Hoogyam forest range, specifically within the Gajanur beat of the Meenyam Section. Adding weight to the poisoning theory, the carcass of a cow was found nearby. Forest officials suspect that the tigress may have killed the cow a few days prior, and that the carcass was subsequently laced with poison by villagers seeking to retaliate against wildlife conflicts. The tigress and her cubs are believed to have consumed the poisoned bait, leading to their deaths.

The incident is believed to have occurred on Wednesday, June 25, and came to light during a routine morning patrol by forest staff. The mother tigress was estimated to be around 11 years old and had been first identified by camera traps in November 2014.

Karnataka's Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment, Eshwar Khandre, has expressed deep sorrow and concern over the incident, calling the deaths "unnatural" and ordering an immediate probe. A high-level inquiry committee has been formed, headed by a senior forest official, to investigate the matter thoroughly and submit a report within three days. Khandre has also stated that if negligence by forest staff is found, or if the deaths are confirmed to be caused by electrocution, poisoning, or any other foul play, criminal cases will be filed against those responsible, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy against wildlife crime.

The death of these five tigers is a significant blow to conservation efforts in Karnataka, which boasts the second-largest tiger population in India, with 563 tigers according to the latest estimates. This figure represents a substantial portion of the world's tiger population, highlighting the state's critical role in protecting the endangered species.

Conservationists have long warned that tiger habitats in Karnataka are under increasing pressure due to human-wildlife conflict, habitat loss, and poaching. The Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, where the tigers were found dead, has been awaiting tiger reserve status for nearly 15 years. While tiger reserve status alone doesn't guarantee complete protection, it is believed that it would help prevent the increasing commercialization of the area and provide additional resources for conservation efforts.

In light of the incident, the Forest Department has initiated intensive sweeps for snares, poison baits, and traps. A confidential informer network with reward mechanisms is also being utilized to gather actionable intelligence and prevent future incidents.

The incident underscores the urgent need for increased conservation efforts, stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws, and greater community engagement to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.