Teams rushed in after 4 elephants are found dead in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, 5 critically ill

Sources in Umaria say they are investigating what the elephants ingested prior to the death, speculating that the herd ate crops which may have played a role

bandhavgarh tiger reserve elephants dead

The affected herd, initially reported to have 13 members, now consists of four deceased elephants (one male, three females), five in critical condition, and four others that appear healthy. (Representational Photo)

Four elephants were found dead and five critically unwell by a patrolling staff at Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve on Tuesday, officials said.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Vijay N Ambade told The Indian Express, “The cause of death remains undetermined and will be ascertained following post-mortem examinations and further investigation of the area. Multiple teams have been formed, which are investigating all angles as to how the elephants died.”

According to wildlife department officials, during routine patrol on Tuesday afternoon, “staff at the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve discovered two wild elephant dead in Reserved Forest (RF) 384 and two more in Protected Forest (PF) 183 A, located in the Salakhaniya Beat of Khitauli and Pataur core ranges, respectively.”

“Shortly after, teams combed the surrounding area and found five additional elephants lying on the ground in an unwell state,” said a senior wildlife department official.

Don't miss | How loss of a life prompted Hyderabad zoo to study elephants’ behaviour, reevaluate care practices and analyse stress levels

The affected herd, initially reported to have 13 members, now consists of four deceased elephants (one male, three females), five in critical condition, and four others that appear healthy.

“A comprehensive operation is underway, with wildlife health officers and veterinarians from Bandhavgarh and the School of Wildlife Forensic and Health in Jabalpur working urgently to treat the ailing elephants,” the official said.

The Specialised Tiger Strike Force (STSF) teams from Jabalpur and Bhopal are also at the site to investigate the incident.

Story continues below this ad

In consultation with experts from the Wildlife Institute of India in Dehradun, park managers and veterinarians are focusing on the immediate treatment of the unwell elephants to stabilise their condition.

Local sources in Umaria said they are investigating what the elephants ingested prior to their death, speculating that the herd ate crops which may have played a role.

The Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh has a population of elephants that migrated from Chhattisgarh in 2018. The first herd of about 15–20 elephants was spotted in 2018. The elephants are now permanent residents and can be seen in the core and buffer areas of the reserve.

Anand Mohan J

Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. Digital & Professional Presence Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express Twitter handle: @mohanreports ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram